FRED COUPLES might be a man on a mission after winning his seventh US Champions Tour title today.

The 52-year-old made a birdie putt on the final hole to win the 2012 Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic by one stroke over Michael Allen.

Couples shot a course record 9-under 63 in the first round and finished the third and final round with a 3-under 69 to be 14-under for the tournament.

Couples will switch back to the regular tour this week for the Shell Houston Open and then the US Masters the following week.

He’s no slouch at that event of course, winning the green jacket in 1992 and having 10 career top tens.

Importantly, he’s had two top 15 finishes in the last two years and with his troublesome back seemingly in good order, could give the tournament a real shake.

“I want to go into (the Masters) after winning a tournament like this feeling some confidence and I did get a lot today,” Couples said.

“I hit a lot of good shots. I would say I’ve got a lot to work on, but if I can drive it like that, the course will be easier.”

As he added later: “The bottom line is, you get a lot of chances to win if you play well.”

Couples earned US$240,000 for the win with Allen’s 66 putting him alone in second place while joint overnight leader Jeff Sluman (73) faded to finish tied for third on 10-under with Tom Pernice Jr. (69).

Senior finishes 10th

Australia’s Peter Senior was looking good in the earlier rounds, opening with a 5-under 67 and actually taking the outright lead midway through his second round.

He had a superb stretch with four birdies on the final nine holes of the first round and then continued with another five in the first ten holes of the second round but then bogeyed 11, 16 and 17.

He began the final round in seventh position but had bogeys on 4 and 10 with a lone birdie on 13.

Still, his 1-over final round 73 was enough to finish the tournament at 6-under, alone in 10th spot. Another top ten to join the ever growing list.

2012 Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic Final Leaderboard