Golf:

By the time you read this column, it will be at least more than 48 hours since Fred Couples clinched the 16th Toshiba Classic in as smooth a fashion as his soothing swing.

There’s been enough time to reflect on the tournament and arrive at some “bests” from the week.

After the “bests,” I’ll follow with a few other tidbits.

So without further delay, here it goes:

 Best shot (of the ones I saw): Couples’ second shot on the 407-yard, par-four ninth hole Saturday. His drive landed in the right rough and a palm and pine tree stood between him and the green. But Couples took an 8-iron and sent the ball over a pine tree — he said it caught a bit of a tree — and left of a palm tree and onto the green to four feet. He birdied the hole en route to a seven-under-par 64 and a two-shot lead heading into the final round.

 Also for consideration: Loren Roberts’ holing out from the right rough for an eagle on the 492-yard, par-five 15th Sunday. Roberts (11-under; 67-67-68 – 202) and Tom Watson (11-under; 69-71-62 – 202) tied for fifth. (I saw Roberts’ shot on television).

 Watson holed out from 88 yards for an eagle on the 549-yard, par-five third hole Sunday.

 Best quote: Ronnie Black, who finished second (14-under; 67-67-65 – 199), commented on the galleries.

“I played with [Couples Saturday]. His crowd was so big. People were pulling for me as well, not nearly like [Couples]. It’s exciting to play in that atmosphere. If you don’t enjoy playing in that atmosphere, probably at this age, you’re probably going to be selling insurance, because this is what it’s about.”

Black tallied 11 putts in the final round and has gone 140 straight holes without a three-putt, the best current streak on the Champions Tour, for golfers 50 and older, this year.

 Best trio of shots from one group on one hole: Bob Gilder, Eduardo Romero (2009 Toshiba champion) and Mark Wiebe took target practice on their approach shots to the green on the 390-yard, par-four second hole on Sunday. Each golfer’s shot landed inside seven feet.

Wiebe and Romero both birdied and finished the tournament in an eight-player tie for 17th (six-under 207).

Other notes from Toshiba ...

 Watson commended Newport Beach Country Club course superintendent Ron Benedict for keeping the greens in pristine shape. “…[The greens] were in great condition all week,” Watson said. “Kudos to [Benedict and his crew]. They did a great job here.”

 Couples also took a two-shot lead into the final round of The ACE Group Classic, which he won by a stroke over Tommy Armour III last month for his first Champions Tour victory.

 My best moment this year: Shaking hands with Corey Pavin Sunday before his round. I spoke with Pavin, the 1995 U.S. Open champion and 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, by phone, but it was nice to shake his hand and meet him in person.

 This was my third time writing about the Toshiba Classic and first since 2005. There have been memorable moments. In 2005, Mark Johnson holed out from 91 yards for an eagle on the 18th hole in the final round and claimed the title by four strokes. Jack Nicklaus created a buzz with his first Toshiba appearance in 2004.

 I’m not at the point to choose an all-time moment from three tournaments. Last week was enjoyable and this event is one I feel blessed to cover in some way.