Couples Reaches $2 Million, but Everyone Wins a Skin

Fred Couples was pleased to win the opening hole of the Skins Game and reach the $2-million mark in his eight appearances in the event. Now if he can just win the final hole.

For the first time since the Skins Game began in 1983, all four players won money Saturday on the opening day of the two-day, 18-hole event at Landmark Golf Club.

Sergio Garcia, the young Spaniard playing in his second Skins Game, was the big winner with four skins and $150,000.

Colin Montgomerie of Scotland won one hole worth three skins and $75,000.

Vijay Singh, who had putting troubles most of the day, sank a 12-footer for eagle to win one skin and $50,000 on the ninth and final hole of the day. Couples won $25,000 on the first hole.

“You want to get a skin early, so winning the first hole was good,” said Couples, whose total Skins Games earnings are more than twice as much as any other player. “Winning the last one isn’t too bad, either.”

The 18th hole today is a “super skin” worth $200,000.

The first six holes were worth $25,000 each, the next six $50,000 each, and Nos. 13-17 $70,000 each.