Couples prepared for awkward LIV conversations at The Masters

Fred Couples insists he will be happy to face Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia at Augusta National, despite recently insulting his fellow former Masters champions.

Couples, who won the Masters in 1992, made the comments about LIV Golf players Mickelson and Garcia as the guest speaker during a PGA Tour Champions breakfast event in California last month.

Referencing the vast fee paid to Mickelson to join the Saudi-funded breakaway, Couples said: "If you're giving Phil Mickelson $200million at age 52 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you.

Couples went on to call Mickelson a "nutbag" and Garcia a "clown", which could make for an interesting atmosphere for Tuesday's Champions Dinner ahead of the 87th Masters.

"I'm not expecting anything different," Couples said after a nine-hole practice round with Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Tom Kim.

"I've made comments but they need to understand. If they've looked at anything I've ever said I call myself the same stuff I'm calling them. I just don't think they should bash the PGA or anybody. Just go and play golf.

"Tomorrow night will be a great dinner, a lot of fun. People have asked me if I'm going to be paired (with LIV players). I would love to be paired with Phil.

"He's one of the best players who's ever played, loves this place as much as I do and if we did we'd look at each other on the first hole and we'd have a good time.

"If someone wants to stop and ask why I'm picking on 'em then I'm all for it but I don't really think I've done anything horrific. They're making comments and I'm replying to them and that's it.

"On my (radio) show I've told everyone Sergio is one of the top 10 players I've ever seen hit a ball but if he's going to make comments about the Tour I play, I'm going to make a