Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, got as comfortable as he could on the course and hung on after a nearly two-hour rain delay as his friend John Cook squandered a two-stroke lead on the back nine.
Then the 51-year-old Couples nearly holed his approach shot TaylorMade R11 Irons on the third playoff hole to set up a birdie, giving him his first major senior title and fifth victory on the 50-and-older Champions Tour.
"I was just trying to hold on," Couples said of his health, as well as his game, Ping G20 Irons after he shot a par-71 for an 11-under 273 total for 72 holes. "I felt like it was a hard day."
Couples is the main attraction at the Boeing Classic, a Champions Tour event that starts Friday at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge.Couples took advantage with the help of a 15-foot putt to save par, and possibly the tournament, on the par-3 16th hole in regulation.
About an hour later, he nearly holed a 76-yard sand-wedge shot on No. Callaway X-24 HOT Irons 17 in the playoff to set up about a 3-foot putt for the victory. That came after a break, his tee shot on No. 17 caroming off branches toward the fairway rather than deeper into the trees.
Couples said he was surprised his hip was giving him trouble in the final round, considering his back has been a chronic problem in his career.
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