Fred Couples fired a 69 to add to two straight 67s to win the PGA Memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio yesterday by four clear shots.

Couples had held a threestroke lead going into the final round, but his closest rival at the beginning of the day, reigning PGA Championship winner Davis Love, faded back with a 73 to leave him on 278, while Couples ended on 271.

Couples' nearest rival at the end was Andrew Magee, who like the winner shot a 69 yesterday. This gave him a 275 overall for second place on his own.

Two-times US Open champion Ernie Els had been only four shots behind Couples overnight, but he also faded from the picture with a 73 to finish on 279 with three others, including Mark Calcavecchia.

In the third round Couples had overcome a migraine that plagued him throughout the round and an early bogey which dropped him into second place.