Couples up by 2 strokes

Fred Couples put in more work than usual to get ready for the Masters, only to have his worst performance in 36 appearances. Back on the PGA Tour Champions, he was more at ease and close to flawless. Couples didn’t miss a fairway, setting up wedges or short irons into most of the holes, and he had a 9-under 63 to build a two-shot lead after the opening round Friday of the Chubb Classic in Naples, Fla. Bernhard Langer shot a 65. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker was among those another shot behind. Couples matched his lowest round of the season with a 63, which featured five consecutive birdies to close out the front nine on the Black course at Tiburon Golf Club.