Couples feels comfortable

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- It only seems as if Fred Couples has played in every Skins Game.

“For me, this is the only tournament I play in, so I’m thrilled to get a sponsors’ invite,” said Couples, whose many titles include “King of the Skins.”

Couples, defending champion Stephen Ames, Masters champion Zach Johnson and Brett Wetterich will compete over the weekend for $1 million in the LG Skins Game.

The made-for-TV event will be played for the 25th time, and it will be Couples’ 14th appearance. Since his Skins debut in 1992, he has won a record five times and his 86 skins have totaled a record $3.9 million.

Skins rookies Johnson and Wetterich also are happy to be in the foursome.

“There were a number of invites and opportunities, considering the early part of the year I had,” the 31-year-old Johnson said. “This is one of the only ones I accepted.”

Wetterich, 34, grinned and said, “I did not have all the opportunities that Zach just mentioned, so when I got the call, I accepted right away.”

The tournament begins with nine holes today, with the final nine on Sunday. In the inaugural tournament, Gary Player won $170,000 to beat Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.