Fred Couples commits to nearby Champions Tour event, joining 6 others playing in Masters

Bernhard Langer, of Germany, putts on the 11th green during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament Tuesday, April 8, 2014, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (The Associated Press)

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Seven golfers at the Masters will have a short trip to their next event: They'll be playing at a Champions Tour event in suburban Atlanta.

Fifty-four-year-old Fred Couples is the latest senior to commit to the Greater Gwinnett Championship, which will be held next weekend at the TPC Sugarloaf in suburban Atlanta.

That setup is mighty convenient. The Sugarloaf course, which once hosted a PGA Tour event, is about a 2½-hour drive from Augusta National.

Also going straight from the Masters to the Greater Gwinnett Championship are Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Mark O'Meara and Miguel Angel Jimenez, who will make his Champions Tour debut at Sugarloaf. The Spaniard turned 50 on Jan. 5.

Of course, all seven have their minds on more important matters at the moment. Especially Jimenez, Couples and Langer, who are actually in contention after the opening round of the Masters.

Jimenez and Couples opened with 1-under-par 71s and Langer shot 72, leaving them all within four shots of leader Bill Haas.

— Paul Newberry, https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963

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Masters Watch follows golf's first major of the year and all the activities surrounding the big event in Augusta, Ga., as seen by journalists from The Associated Press. It will be updated throughout the day.