Fred Couples has stood by his personal attacks on LIV rebels Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia before Tuesday night's Champions Dinner at the Masters.
The 1992 winner branded his fellow American “a nutbag” and the Spaniard “a clown” to fuel the animosity in golf’s civil war. Couples, now 63, said he apologised if he caused any offence but stated: “I just don't think they should bash the PGA TOUR or anybody - just go play golf.
“I have no problem with any of them, just please do not bash a Tour that I have 43 years invested in. It bothers the hell out of me. They don't bother me. I respect them all. I would love to be paired with Phil.
“Sergio is one of the top 10 players I've ever seen hit a ball, but if he's going to make comments about the Tour that I play, I'm going to make a comment back, and if it's offensive I apologise, but they're on another tour. Go play and have a good time.
"Brooks Koepka I love, Dustin Johnson I absolutely love. I'm not good enough to be paired with those guys. They're going to play with those who are probably going to win this thing. But I have no problem with anyone on the LIV Tour. I really don't.
“If anyone wants to stop and ask why I'm picking on them, then I'm all for it, but I don't really think I've done anything horrific. They're making comments and I'm replying to them.”
Couples spoke after playing a practice round with Tiger Woods, Tom Kim and Rory McIlroy on Monday. And he backed the Ulsterman to join the Champions Dinner next year.
Asked what McIlroy has to do to win his 15th Masters, he said: “Nothing. He's just got to play golf and be better than everyone. It looks like this is another prime year. He's playing very, very well. What does he have to do? I don't know, is it surprising he's never won this?
“Of course it is, the way he plays and the way he putts and how high he hits it and how far he hits it. But it's not that easy. He just does his own deal and plays like Rory can, and he'll be just fine. Then he's got to beat two, four, five people on Sunday.”
The 2020 champion Johnson, who was wearing the Aces logo on his shirt on Monday, insisted his title bid will not be affected by playing only three events on the LIV Golf this season.
The world No. 69 said: “I'm going to be ready no matter how many events I played. I played a long time with all these guys. So if I'm playing how I should, yeah, I'll be right there at the end.”
