Fred Couples hot streak of 2010 continued into the first round of the season’s first major at the Masters. Couples had missed the two previous cuts at the Masters after making a record tying 22 consecutive cuts.

This year appears to be much different.

Building his confidence in his putting by winning 3 of his first 4 starts on the Champions Tour, Fred Couples blistered the Augusta National golf course on Thursday, making 7 birdies in route to an opening round 66. The 6-under par round put him a shot clear of those chasing him.

For images from Round 1, click here.

Phil Mickelson’s late-season performances haven’t been that great, but they haven’t turned off Fred Couples, the captain of the U.S. Presidents Cup team. Couples and Mickelson have traded a number of text messages in recent weeks, and Mickelson said his committment is strong to play at Harding Park in San Francisco in two weeks.

Asked about Mickelson, Couples responded in a text message that he is firmly behind Mickelson. “I am not worried about Phil, ever,” Couples wrote. “I want him there and he is such a team guy.”

Here we are in the second week of September, less than a month away from the start of The Presidents Cup. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to be this close to heading to Harding Park and getting the matches started.

A lot has happened since early August. Most importantly, the teams are set. We rounded out the squads last week by making our Captain’s Picks in Washington, D.C., at the National Press Club. It was a busy day and included a very special stop, but I will get to that in a minute. Let’s talk about the United States team.

We have a nice blend of players, and I really like some of the potential pairings we could see during the foursomes and four-ball sessions. Jay Haas, my assistant captain, and I have been tossing ideas back and forth regarding pairings.

Obviously when you have a team that includes Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, it makes the captain’s job easier. Steve Stricker is fresh off his third victory of the season and is playing as well as anyone in the world right now. It’s also nice knowing we have a handful of guys with a wealth of match-play experience in international competition.

Players like Kenny Perry, Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard have been through these matches before, as well as countless Ryder Cups, and pair nicely with just about everyone on the team. Anthony Kim, one of our two rookies along with Sean O’Hair, cut his teeth in international competition in last year’s Ryder Cup and will provide a spark for this team as well.

As you know, I’ve selected Lucas Glover and Hunter Mahan with my two Captain’s Picks. Both have played great all year and have experience in The Presidents Cup after competing at Royal Montreal in 2007. They are two great additions to the team, and I know that they will come to Harding Park ready to compete.

Now, back to our day in Washington last week to announce our Captain’s Picks. The day began with a press conference at the National Press Club, where Greg and I announced our picks. I had made it pretty clear a couple weeks ago that I was leaning toward Lucas and Hunter, but Greg kept everyone in the dark regarding his picks, Ryo Ishikawa and Adam Scott. We answered a few questions from the media regarding why we picked who we did, thoughts on Harding Park and what kind of final preparations we will be making in the last couple of weeks leading up to The Presidents Cup.

After the press conference, we went to the White House for a brief meeting with President Obama, who will serve as Honorary Chairman of The Presidents Cup. We only had a short time with the president given his busy schedule but were able to spend a little more time with Vice President Biden, who is an avid golfer. I do appreciate the president and vice president lending their support to The Presidents Cup, and it was great to hear their enthusiastic support first hand.

With the PGA TOUR Playoffs finishing up at THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, my guys will have a chance to get one more week of competitive golf under their belts — and a tough test, at that — and then rest up before we all travel to San Francisco. Like I said before, this has been a long, fun process, and I can’t wait to get things started in a few weeks at Harding Park.

The top 10 U.S. players who earned the most official PGA TOUR money from the 2007 Wyndham Championship through the 2009 PGA Championship (with money earned in 2009 counting as double) automatically made the U.S. Team.

Glover and Mahan are Captain’s Picks for the second consecutive Presidents Cup. In 2007, Glover was 10th going into the PGA Championship, but was knocked down to 11th after Woody Austin’s second-place finish at the season’s final major vaulted him from 18th to 10th in the standings for the U.S. Team. Mahan finished 14th in the standings in 2007.

This year, Glover, the U.S. Open champion, finished No. 11 in the U.S. Team standings after the PGA Championship, and Mahan occupied position No. 13

In addition to his breakthrough major championship victory at Bethpage State Park in June, Glover has four other top-five finishes on his 2009 résumé, including a solo fifth at the PGA Championship. Glover is currently ranked No. 14 in the FedExCup standings and leads the TOUR in total driving and total birdies (341). The U.S. Open was Glover’s second PGA TOUR win, following his victory at the 2005 FUNAI Classic at the Walt Disney World Resort.

A model of consistency throughout the 2009 season, Mahan is making his second consecutive appearance in The Presidents Cup. He has made 21-of-22 cuts on the year and notched six top 10s, highlighted by a solo second at the AT&T National in July and a T4 at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational last month. Mahan is ranked No. 21 in the FedExCup standings. He’s T4 in PGA TOUR scoring average (69.56) and T4 in total birdies (330). Mahan’s lone PGA TOUR victory came at the 2007 Travelers Championship.

A lot has happened in the world of golf since I last checked in. It’s hard to believe that in less than four months, The Presidents Cup will be underway in San Francisco. Since I last posted, a couple of players I will be counting on heavily at Harding Park have won on the PGA TOUR, some young guys who may be on the squad for the first time have continued to play well and I was able to play some competitive golf along the way too.

From a captain’s perspective, it was nice to see Tiger notch his second victory of the year at the Memorial. He looked stronger than ever, hitting just about every fairway, holing memorable shots from around the green and winning Jack Nicklaus’ tournament for a fourth time.

Speaking of Tiger, it looks like the player he clipped by one shot back at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, Sean O’Hair, will be making his Presidents Cup debut. Sean has really shown me a lot for a player who is only 26 years old. Losing to Tiger after taking a five-shot lead into the final round would be a tough pill to swallow for any player on TOUR. However, Sean really showed how tough a competitor he is by bouncing back and besting a world-class field on a great golf course to win the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte back in May. He’s fifth in the standings right now and I’m excited he may be part of the team.

There’s a good chance Sean won’t be the only rookie on the squad in October. Brian Gay posted his second victory of the season in impressive fashion last month in Memphis and has jumped into the top 10 in the standings at No. 8. It’s so hard to win on the PGA TOUR now and for Brian to have won twice already in the manner he did at Hilton Head and Memphis has been great to see.

Though he wouldn’t be a Presidents Cup rookie after competing in 2007 at Royal Montreal, Lucas Glover looked rock solid in that Monday finish at the U.S. Open. He’s moved to No. 12 in the standings and his confidence has to be sky high after that victory.

Speaking of the U.S. Open, I caddied for Michael Jordan in the Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge the Friday before the U.S. Open. As you probably know, Michael is one of my Assistant Captains for The Presidents Cup. We had a great time, with Michael playing well on the back nine after a tough front side at Bethpage Black.

I’m excited about the balance our team may have between young, up-and-coming players and seasoned veterans. I held a meeting with the players who are in contention to make the U.S. Presidents Cup Team back at THE PLAYERS Championship in May to discuss a few things with the guys. It was great to get everyone together, answer some of their questions — and ask some of my own.

On a personal note, I’ve actually been able to put together a couple of nice tournaments over the past couple months. It’s been great for me as a player, but I also think it’s beneficial in my role as captain as I get a front row seat to observe some of the players competing for a spot on the U.S. Team.

This week’s AT&T National at Congressional will be my first tournament since mid-May, so hopefully I can keep the good rounds coming. I always love coming to Congressional. The golf course is great and I broke through for my first PGA TOUR victory here back at the 1983 Kemper Open.

The U.S. Open is already in the rearview mirror and it will be October before we know it. That’s it for now. Enjoy your summer and I will check back with you next month.

For a unique insight into Fred’s life, Golf Digest posted a memorable interview with Fred and caddie Joe LaCava by Bob Verdi yesterday leading up to this week’s PLAYERS.

The Players Championship is played at TPC Sawgrass, designed by Pete Dye. The course plays over 7,200 yards at a par of 72 and opened in 1980.

TV this week:
Thu, 5/7: Golf Channel 1-7
Fri, 5/8: Golf Channel 1-7
Sat, 5/9: NBC 2-7
Sun, 5/10: NBC 2-7

Official site: PGATour.com | Tickets

Defending Champion: Sergio Garcia (-5)

Fred’s iron play was incredibly erratic and was unable to find a fairway all day. He only hit 6 of 14 fairways and only 8 of 18 greens. Incredibly, Fred only had 25 putts on the day and he showed real tenacity by closing with birdies on 17 and 18.

Unfortunately, this likely means this was his only major this year. Unless he attempts to qualify for the British or US Opens, he won’t play in another major. He won’t be ranked high enough to make it into the PGA, so the only way he’ll be able to play in that major is by special invitation. This likely means that Fred will only play a few more tournaments before setting his sites on the Champions Tour in October when he turns 50.

“I don’t think we’re going to get three more days like this,” 1992 champion Fred Couples said Thursday. “They set it up pretty easy. I’m sure now they’re going to put the hammer down.”

For Fred’s sake, he’s going to need to regroup and get a round in the 60s in order to be able to contend and almost certainly will need a round of par or better to make the cut. If Campbell is able to manage a 70 or better tomorrow, the cut will likely go to the top 44 and ties. (The cut rule at the Masters is top 44 and ties and those within 10 shots of the lead.) So the key tomorrow is to watch Fred relative to the field and see if he can improve on that 51st place position. Those one shot better than Couples are currently in 39th place.

Couples regressed from his improved iron and driver play that he displayed last week at the Shell Houston Open. Fred was only able to hit 11 of 18 greens and 9 of 14 fairways. He also had 31 putts on the day – far too many for 7 missed greens. (Leader Campbell, who hit 13 greens, had only 24 putts in his round.)

Friday, Fred will tee off early at 8:55 AM. He’ll need to take advantage of the early tee time as the wind is forecasted to become gusty in the afternoon, including a chance of thunderstorms.

This year, with that talk now out of the way, the focus is simply on seeing what Fred can do at the age of 49. His mind has been wandering to the Champions Tour for a long time now. But Augusta is his favorite place – and so far this year, he’s done well at his favorite places. In contention at both Los Angeles and Houston, perhaps the third time is a charm this year.

On Wednesday, Fred Couples will compete in the par 3. The par 3 will be televised on ESPN and at masters.org. Tuesday, Fred played a practice round with fellow Presidents Cup Captain Greg Norman and Adam Scott. The temperatures have been very cold for this time of year in Augusta – although you wouldn’t now it was unusual after that previous two Masters. The good news is that the rest of the week is looking perfect, if not for a slight chance of showers on Friday. Sunny and mid-70s should rule here on out.

For a gallery of photos, including photos from Tuesday’s practice round, go here.

Fred’s tee times are:
Thu: 12:02 PM Eastern
Fri: 8:55 AM Eastern
Playing Partners: Rocco Mediate and Jack Newman (US Am Pub Links Champion)

TV:
Wed, 4/8: 3-5 PM (Par 3 Contest)
Thu, 4/9: ESPN 4-7 PM
Fri, 4/10: ESPN 4-7 PM
Sat, 4/11: CBS 3:30-7 PM
Sun, 4/12: CBS 2:30-7 PM
DirecTV customers will have access to bonus coverage on channels 701-705 Thursday thru Sunday.

Masters.org:
Wed, 4/8: Starting at 2 PM, coverage of the par 3 contest.
Thu-Sun: Live coverage of Amen Corner and holes 15 and 16 once players reach those holes.

Standing on the 70th hole, Fred Couples was clinging to a one shot lead over Paul Casey, who was two holes behind him, and JB Holmes, who had finished earlier in the day. To say the course conditions were difficult would be a huge understatement. Unfortunately for Fred, the last three holes would be the difference maker. He bogeyed all three.

Much like the Northern Trust Open earlier in the year, Fred still had a chance on the 18th to get himself into what would eventually be a playoff at -11. Although, it would have taken birdie at a hole that was playing more than a stroke over par because it was playing dead into a stiff breeze. Unfortunately, a wayward drive into a bunker left Fred no choice by to simply try and advance the ball as far as he could.

The round really went south, though, on the par 5 13th hole. Fred sat at -12 and really had an opportunity to get a couple of shots on the field with the par 5 13th and 15th in preparation for the difficult finishing holes. Couples hit two very good shots on the 13th, leaving him just over 50 feet for eagle. Unfortunately, a stubbed chip led to a par. It was quite obvious that hole really hurt Fred’s confidence. Johnny Miller, commenting on Fred just prior to the stubbed chip, said that Fred would need a two or three stroke cushion going into 16 to win. How right Miller was.

Fred finished in third place, two shots behind Paul Casey and J.B. Holmes, who tied at -11. Paul Casey went on to win in a playoff.

While it’s certainly disappointing – it would help if Fred would stop thinking that he can’t win on tour anymore – it certainly was a huge improvement over the week prior. That’s got to be a big boost to his confidence going into the Masters.

Fred’s final round interview:

Q. Fred Couples, the you beat the field scoring average. I know you’re disappointed. How do you look at it?

FRED COUPLES: I am disappointed. I felt like I needed a couple birdies, I made bogey the last three holes. I’m happy with the way I played. Obviously, a lot of people out there supporting me, but I just couldn’t make any — too tough.

Q. It came down to the numbers because the way I looked at it, you played 28 holes yesterday, 26 today. A lot of golf for two days. Are you tired?

FRED COUPLES: I wasn’t tired on 16 waiting to putt. Then after I 3-putted I got a little more tired. Bogeyed 17 I was exhausted, now I’m finished. You know, they’re hard holes. But I haven’t played 54 holes in that short of span in a long time. I’m pretty tired. My back is holding up, so I think it’s nice.

Q. What about the emotions? You mentioned it before we talked about this yesterday. Coming out here, you told me that no matter what you do, they’re going to cheer for you out here.

At any point does the emotion get in the way when you come to a place like Houston where you have so many connections?

FRED COUPLES: No, not really. It did when I won. If I would have won again today, it would have been good. Main thing for me, even I come here, I have, thank God, lots of people follow me around — not as many as I used to — pretty loud. “Go Cougars, Cougars, Cougars, Cougars.” It was pretty fun for about 70 holes. There’s no way I could have birdied 17 and 18.

Q. Another place you play well Augusta. Give us some kind sense what you expect for yourself next week.

FRED COUPLES: Well, you know, I felt pretty good about my swing. I worked on it pretty hard for the last seven days since I got into town with Paul, and I think if I get a few practice rounds, I know it’s going to be cold, so I’m going to kind of hopefully get ready.

It was good today. I wish it wasn’t quite that hard because I think I could have maybe done a little better without the wind, but I got it around and I look forward to next week. It’s my all-time favorite place.

Q. You and everybody else. Fred, that was a very, very difficult golf course today.

FRED COUPLES: Yeah, it was awfully hard. Lot of left to right winds for me. I got the ball around very, very well today. I made a bad bogey on the 8th hole, the par 5, and, you know, that took a little wind out of me, but I birdied 10 and got it going.

I knew J.B. was in the clubhouse, and I had a lot of holes left. I made a blunder on the other par 5, 13th, 14th hole, whatever it is, and I had a very easy chip for eagle or birdie and I made par. You know, the last holes are hard. Didn’t play them very well.

Q. 13th hole is a par 5. You played an awful lot of golf this week. Because of the wind situation on Thursday, you essentially played 54 holes on Saturday and Sunday. Was fatigue a factor at all?

FRED COUPLES: Actually, I’m tired now. It worked out in a good way because I played a lot of golf and I played pretty well. I didn’t make any bogies yesterday and this wind today.

You know, like I said, I hit a horrible drive on 8. Let the wind get it. When you’ve got 5, 6-footers for par, you’re not going to make them all.

Q. Good luck.

FRED COUPLES: Thank you.

Q. You mentioned after The Masters you may not play again until the Champions Tours. Does it make it more likely or less likely on days like this?

FRED COUPLES: There’s a lot of tournaments I’m not going to play. I’m going to play in TPC, and you know, two other ones, but I’m going to take a lot of time off.

You know, it was fun. I played horrible last week. I came down here and worked on my game, and Paul gave me a lot of help, and I hit the ball well for four days. Even today it was — it’s disappointing to not hit a few shots when you have to, but other than that, I got it around nicely, and it kind of makes me want to play. I’m playing next week, so I’ll be excited by Augusta.

Q. Fred, how much does it help when everyone is cheering for you after every hole?

FRED COUPLES: Yeah. It doesn’t help me when you’re 240 into a left-to-right wind, you can’t reach the green on the par 4. But it’s always fun. Going to school here was a blessing. It’s where I really learned how to play and become a good player.

Coming back, I think I missed it a couple years, but now I have Champions Tour event to come back and play in The Woodlands. I’m sure I’ll have more people again.

Q. You talked yesterday about how this wind just takes such a mental and physical toll. Did it finally catch up with you?

FRED COUPLES: I think, you know, I knew J.B. Holmes was in the clubhouse, and I knew I had — not birdieing the 13th hole was a huge, huge mistake. Couple other good shots I hit in there. I bogeyed the last three holes. They were hard, and it’s a tough course out there.

But for 69 holes I think I lead the tournament for a little bit of it, and it’s a good feeling. I’m really tired. 54 holes in the last couple days really killed me, but at the same time, I played a lot of golf and I played well.

So I kept it going. But the finish is very sour but, you know, from where I’ve been playing, it’s pretty good.

Q. You realize two Top-5 finishes on the PGA Tour for a guy who says he’s ready for the Champions Tour.

FRED COUPLES: Yeah. I know. I get a little down on the way I’m playing. Actually, I think maybe I think I’m better than I really am. I know I can play golf like anybody else, but I think I should do it more often. If I could play like this, it’s certainly more entertaining, that’s for sure, but I’m ready for the Champions Tour. There’s no doubt. I will have much more fun trying to go through that.

Q. You have a date next week?

FRED COUPLES: I’ll go to Augusta with bells on. My favorite spot.