Couples wants to do more than show up

Highlighted by the late addition of World Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples, the Oasis Championship has perhaps its best field in the 13 years it has been held at The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton.

The three-round, 54-hole PGA Tour Champions event formerly known as the Boca Raton Championship begins on Friday and runs through Sunday.

While Couples’ chronic back issues have kept him to playing in just 22 events over the past three years with his last PGA Tour Champions title coming 20 months ago, the 59-year-old told reporters on Thursday he’s taking a competitive approach to the Oasis and beyond.

“I’m not here just to show up,” Couples said. “I do want to win again, and if I play enough this year, I feel like I’ll have plenty of chances.”

Couples will seek redemption after admitting two years ago his lack of familiarity with The Old Course at Broken Sound worked against him.

“I kind of remember most of the holes and I played some of them poorly because I felt like I didn’t play them correctly,” Couples said. “I’m not talking about the hole you can drive. If you can drive a par-4, you should go for it. I couldn’t hit a good drive there, so I played the hole pretty poorly . ... To win out here, to play well, you’ve got to putt.”

Couples will be paired with fellow major champions Retief Goosen and David Toms, teeing off at 11 a.m. on Friday.

“That’s an unbelievable pairing,” Couples said. “That’s the most fun for me is the pairings.”

Former PGA Championship winner John Daly, the 52-year-old who has won five PGA Tour events, and Gary Nicklaus, the son of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, are other top

draws. Gary Nicklaus, at 50, will be making his PGA Tour Champions debut as he begins his second stint as a professional after previously retiring in 2003. Returning to play in 2007, he has spent the last 11 years as an amateur.

Reigning Oasis champion Mark Calcavecchia will return and tee off shortly after the power trio of Couples, Goosen and Toms, starting at 11:10. The player he edged for last year’s title, five-time Charles Schwab Cup champion Bernhard Langer, also returns.

Tickets purchased in advance start at $25, and tickets at the gate are $30. Kids 18 and under receive free admission, and fans 70 and older can get in free with proper ID.

For more information, go to oasischampionship.com.