Frys.com notes: Couples still in swing of things

Fred Couples never seems too concerned or consumed about his golf game or much of anything else.

So he came to this week’s Frys.com Open in Scottsdale without a lot of expectations. Heck, he wasn’t exactly sure what par was on the Grayhawk Golf Club’s Raptor Course.

“To be honest, I don’t even know what par is,” Couples said. “I played this course a lot of times in another event and I know they changed two of the holes to par 4s.”

Couples finished four shots off the lead at 3-under-par 67 in his first round since guiding (as captain) the United States to the President’s Cup victory in San Francisco. After taking some time off, Couples wanted to play some competitive golf, and coming to Scottsdale made sense because it’s a short drive from his home in Palm Springs, Calif., and the Valley of the Sun is home to his girlfriend.

It is either playing here or on the Champions Tour. Now 50, Couples can play both if he chooses. But he’s not ready to give up on the PGA Tour. In 15 events this year he’s earned more than $1 million.

“I had two really good chances at winning, which is the only reason I keep doing this,” Couples said. “If I don’t come out and play I’ll head over to the Champions Tour. But I’m going to give this tour one more ride and see how I play next year.”

PLAYING LIKE A CHAMPION

In his first round of golf since winning last week’s Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Scotland’s Martin Laird, now living in Scottsdale, turned in a very respectable 67.

Not bad considering how one win often changes a player’s life. Laird, for the second straight year, was playing the PGA Tour’s Fall Series desperately trying to earn enough money to keep his tour card. Last year he finished at No. 125 on the money list, making him the last player to remain exempt.

Now with a victory in hand and a two-year exemption, Laird can play a more relaxed game of golf. For some players it helps. For others it hurts. Laird is about to find out.

It’s not like there’s been a lot of successful Scottish golfers here in the United States. Before Laird, the last time a golfer from Scotland won a PGA Tour event was in 1988 when Sandy Lyle won the Masters. No, Colin Montgomerie has never won an event in America.

WHAT YOUTH MOVEMENT?

The aged aren’t going away quietly. Four players in this week’s field are 50 and are playing or are eligible for the Champions Tour.

All four played outstanding golf during Thursday’s first round at Grayhawk led by Couples’ 67.

Also at 3 under is Tom Pernice Jr. and Michael Allen. Scottsdale’s Tom Lehman is at 2 under. Other than Couples, who has yet to play a Champions Tour event, all three have won a senior tournament this year.

WEIR AGAIN?

It’s the third year of the Frys.Com Open and appearing yet again near the top of the leader board is Canadian Mike Weir. He trailed fellow lefty Nick O’Hern by three shots after firing a round of 4-under 66.

Weir won the debut event here at Grayhawk in 2007 and finished fourth last year.

His annual stop in Scottsdale has been Weir’s last event of the season, and he’s made the most of it each year.