Memories Linger for Couples

Anyone who was at Congressional Country Club that day in 1983 likely hasn't forgotten Fred Couples's first PGA Tour victory. Back when the tour stop here was called the Kemper Open, Couples survived a five-way playoff by making birdie on the second extra hole.

It has been 25 years since that victory, and much has changed for Couples and the course. He has won 14 more times on tour, including the 1992 Masters, and Congressional has undergone extensive renovations.

"The hole that I won it on is not even there anymore," Couples said of No. 16, which then was an 183-yard par 3.

Couples has returned to Congressional this week for the AT&T National. On Wednesday, he stood in for Tiger Woods as the tournament host during the opening ceremony. Yesterday, he shot a 2-under 68 for a 139 total.

"It's one of my favorite courses," said Couples, who will captain the 2009 Presidents Cup team. "I'm certainly glad we're back at Congressional. It will probably be forever for me, because I probably have one more year next year coming. But it's a great spot. The course is beautiful as usual. I do remember winning [here]; that's for sure."

Now in the twilight of his PGA Tour career, Couples, 48, is making the most of his time remaining. Back problems kept him off the tour much of last season. He played in only two regular season events. This year, with his back doing better, he has increased his schedule. The AT&T National is his 12th event this season. He's had three top 10 finishes and made all but two cuts.

"I've played more this year and felt better about my game and my body," Couples said.

The fans still have a soft spot for Couples, who drew some of the bigger galleries of the morning rounds.

"They seem to rally behind me, and I've always enjoyed it," he said.

Mediate Drained

Rocco Mediate was in a slightly better frame of mind after shooting a 2-under 68 in the second round, but admitted he is drained from the hoopla that has surrounded him since the U.S. Open.

"I have no stamina," he said. "I'm going on fumes right now."

Describing his play as "slow, lazy and tired" in the first round, Mediate did not use his temperamental back as an excuse for shooting a 3-over 73.

"It was a weird day," he said.

Mediate never has been part of a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup team during his 22 years on tour but hopes his strong play this season will vault him into contention. He ranks 16th in the Ryder Cup standings through last week's Buick Open. The top eight players make the team, not including Woods, who is out because of a knee injury.

"That's the number one goal, period," Mediate said.

Attendance Down

Without Woods, the AT&T National has suffered a dip in attendance. Wednesday's pro-am crowd reportedly was 10,019, which was 2,365 fewer than last year. Thursday's first round drew 16,916, down from 18,261 last year.

"I think the enthusiasm might be down a touch from last year," Steve Stricker said. "It's still a great tournament. . . . Not that it's bad this year. Last year was pretty special with the first year of it, and everything that was going on with it." . . .

In honor of the Fourth of July, the pins at each hole had American flags. . . .

Jason Gore withdrew after nine holes because of an unspecified injury.

Staff writer Mark Viera contributed to this report.