Fred Couples ended a five-year drought in April with victory in the Houston Open, his 15th career title. He completed a memorable year with victory in the Skins Game in November which brought him US$605,000 prize money.
Couples began the season at 147th in the world rankings, but finished the year 36th. Discouraged with his game in early 2003, Couples had joined up with golf coach Butch Harmon during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Harmon suggested Couples should shorten his swing to take pressure off his back and the advice proved an instant success.
