Fred Couples has laid down the challenge: If Tiger Woods wants to play the President’s Cup he better tee it up a few times between now and then.

Couples and Woods are friends. They played together in Woods’ first practice round after he returned from his scandal and self-imposed break from the game. So, the challenge isn’t as steel-nerved as it might be had someone else thrown it down.

Still, Couples challenged Woods publicly. Woods might have had no intention of playing between now and the Australian Open in November. If he wants to play the President’s Cup a week later — that’s no longer an option.

If you’re Woods, with your game and reputation battered, don’t you have to accept Couples’ challenge? If Woods says screw the President’s Cup and hides until November he’ll hurt his image even more. Couples has presented him with a challenge and an opportunity. Woods just might endear himself to fans a bit more if he plays a few lesser-known events, shows some passion and admits he’s hungry as all heck to be on that President’s Cup team.

As always, it will be interesting to see how Woods responds. Tiger may believe the road back to the top begins on the practice range. Couples has let him know that the road to the President’s Cup is back on the course. Given the paths Tiger’s taken himself down as of late, maybe he’d be wise to see where Couples’ road takes him….