LA QUINTA (California), Dec 1: Annika Sorenstam may be the queen of golf, but Fred Couples is Mr. Skins.

While Sorenstam continued to impress her PGA Tour opponents, Couples kept humbling them, winning his record fourth Skins Game after taking US$200,000 with a birdie on the fourth playoff hole.

Sorenstam won the first skin of the day and US$50,000 with a 12-foot birdie putt at the 10th. It was the only prize she earned Sunday, after collecting four skins worth US$175,000 over the first nine holes Saturday.

Sorenstam was second to Couples, who took eight skins for a total of US$605,000. Phil Mickelson was third with five skins and US$170,000, while defending champion Mark O’Meara was shut out.

Couples became the first four-time winner, breaking a tie with the late Payne Stewart. A former Masters champion, Couples also claimed the event in 1995, 1996 and 1999.

Holes 11-13 were halved, making the 14th worth four skins and 240,000 dollars. Couples took it all with an 18-foot birdie putt. Sorenstam had a chance to match but missed from 10 feet.

Mickelson won his only skin of the day and US$70,000 with a birdie at the 15th.—AFP