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Wikipedia / Chris Couch

Christian Stratton Couch (born May 1, 1973) is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.

Early life

Couch was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Buddy Alexander's Florida Gators men's golf team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition from 1992 to 1995. As a sophomore, he was a member of the Gators' 1993 NCAA championship team that also included future PGA Tour golfer Brian Gay. During his time as a Gator golfer, the team also won Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

Professional career

In 1995, Couch turned professional. It took him a long time to get established and his first couple of spells on the PGA Tour ended when he failed to win enough money to retain his tour card. He won five times on the Nationwide Tour between 2001 and 2005, and in 2006 he made a breakthrough by winning the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He won with a 55-foot chip-in (using a cross-handed grip) after a poor shot out of a difficult lie in a bunker.

A poor 2007 season saw Couch finish 167th on the money list and he did not play in 2008 due to a shoulder injury. He played on the PGA Tour in 2009 and 2010 on a major medical extension. By August 2010, Couch earned enough to satisfy his medical exemption and keep his tour card.

Couch went six years without playing a PGA Tour event due to a back injury before making the cut at the 2018 Valspar Championship with a T68.

Awards and honors

  • In 1992, Couch was recognized as the SEC Freshman of the Year.

  • In 1993 and 1995, he received All-American honors.

Professional wins (6)

PGA Tour wins (1)

No.

Date

Tournament

Winning score

Margin ofvictory

Runners-up

1

Apr 30, 2006

Zurich Classic of New Orleans

−19 (70-70-64-65=269)

1 stroke

Fred Funk, Charles Howell III

Nationwide Tour wins (5)

Legend

Tour Championships (1)

Other Nationwide Tour (4)

No.

Date

Tournament

Winning score

Margin ofvictory

Runner(s)-up

1

Mar 11, 2001

Buy.com Florida Classic

−15 (67-69-69-64=269)

1 stroke

Chad Campbell

2

Sep 14, 2003

Oregon Classic

−14 (66-68-71-69=274)

Playoff

Jason Bohn

3

Nov 2, 2003

Nationwide Tour Championship

−18 (66-67-65-72=270)

3 strokes

D. J. Brigman

4

May 15, 2005

Rheem Classic

−15 (69-66-70-60=265)

5 strokes

Troy Matteson

5

Jun 12, 2005

LaSalle Bank Open

−15 (66-67-69-67=269)

4 strokes

Kevin Durkin, Paul Gow, Mario Tiziani

Nationwide Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.

Year

Tournament

Opponent

Result

1

2003

Oregon Classic

Jason Bohn

Won with birdie on first extra hole

Results in major championships

Tournament

2006

PGA Championship

CUT

CUT = missed the half-way cut Note: Couch only played in the PGA Championship.

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

The Players Championship

CUT

T17

T50

T23

CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Results in World Golf Championships

Tournament

2006

Match Play

Championship

Invitational

T68

"T" = Tied

See also

References