Fred Couples knows the Skins Game better than anyone. The 1992 Masters champion won the event five times between 1995 and 2004. He earned nearly $4.5 million across 11 appearances. His dominance earned him the nickname “Mr. Skins.” Now, ahead of the format’s return after a 17-year absence, Couples sat down with SiriusXM PGA Tour radio to share his wisdom with the next generation, and it was as real as it could get.

His advice for Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, and Keegan Bradley might surprise them. These four stars have 34 PGA Tour wins between them. But Couples made it clear: None of those credentials guarantees anything on November 28.

“It’s certainly not like winning a PGA tournament when you win a Skins Game, but you do recollect a lot of shots people hit. There are some shots there that people remember forever….You don’t have to be great on any given day in a Skins Game, you just got to win a few holes,” he shared. Couples dominated the competition when the format debuted in 1983. So, his perspective on what separates this event from traditional tournaments is integral. Couples had facts to back his opinion.

Playing alongside Arnold Palmer left him intimidated as hell. Everyone in the gallery was rooting for the King. Palmer would hit shot after shot with unbelievable ball-striking precision. Meanwhile, Couples found himself driving into the desert. Yet somehow, Couples would birdie the next hole on a long par-4. Palmer would just laugh. That’s the essence Couples wanted to convey. Moreover, the format’s unpredictability created some of golf’s most memorable moments like Lee Trevino’s ace.

Couples recalled the legendary 1987 Skins Game when Lee Trevino made a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th. The shot came during a heated battle with Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Gary Player. A four-hole carryover worth $175,000 was on the line. Trevino’s 6-iron from 165 yards went directly into the cup. Nicklaus had said, “That’s a pretty shot,” when the ball was in the air. Trevino responded after it dropped: “It can’t get any prettier than that.”

These moments define the legacy of the Skins Game. Now, the event returns after its 2008 finale. The November 28 showdown at Panther National marks a significant moment for golf. Amazon Prime Video will broadcast the event exclusively at 9:00 a.m. ET. The “reverse purse” format adds a modern twist. Each player starts with $1 million on the scoreboard. Every hole won or lost changes that number.

Couples’ advice rings especially true given the format. Players don’t need perfect rounds. Instead, they need decisive moments. A player can struggle for several holes, then seize one critical skin.

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Justin Thomas brings a unique perspective as Panther National co-designer

For Justin Thomas, this event carries additional significance. He co-designed Panther National with Jack Nicklaus. This was Thomas’s first course design project. The collaboration opened in November 2023. Nicklaus praised Thomas’s learning process throughout the design phase.

Thomas suggested changing the layup zone on the par-5 11th hole. Everyone lying up in the same spot wouldn’t be interesting, he argued. Nicklaus agreed immediately. They changed it, making it a better golf hole.

Now Thomas competes with his own creation. That psychological dimension adds unique stakes. He’ll face his competitors on a course he helped shape. The mental game becomes even more complex when you’re second-guessing your own design decisions.

But Couples made it clear: None of those credentials guarantees anything. The Skins Game writes its own rules. One inspired stretch can override an entire season’s worth of accomplishments. That’s precisely what makes this Black Friday showdown so compelling.