Fred Couples defies age to make Masters history

Fred Couples rolled back the years on Thursday at the Masters, with an age-defying performance at Augusta National.

Only ten players beat his one-under-par opening round, while the 1992 Masters champ signed for a better score than Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa.

And, according to stats guru Justin Ray, Couples made a unique piece of history that might never be touched.

Couples, 65, now holds the record for the longest time between under par rounds in Masters history.

The 15-time PGA Tour winner recorded his first sub-par round on his debut in 1983, when he finished T32, and shot his latest on Thursday, a mere 42 years later.

Couples snatched the joint record previously held by Honorary Starters Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson. Both recorded under-par rounds 40 years after their first.

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“You know, I played pretty well,” Couples said after his round. “I hit most of the fairways and drove it well. Got a little windy and chipped a little bit better than I normally do around here.

“But it was fun. Pendrith and English, they’re so fun to watch. They drive it, like everyone, so far. So, I just piddled around. You know, hit a lot of good woods. My rescues, really 5-irons and 6-irons.

“And, I’ve been saying it for 40 years, I just love the course, and I feel like, to be honest with you, last year I was not really very healthy at all.

“Now I have a set of clubs I feel like I can hit around here. Tomorrow may be different. May be different shots. But it was fun, it was a very fun day.”

The highlight for Couples, who has missed the cut on five of his last six visits to the opening major of the year, was a remarkable eagle on the par-4 16th.

From 186 yards, the American smashed a hybrid into the Georgia sky. Unsighted by the elevation change, Couples was made aware of the two by the crowd.

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Meanwhile, Couples hinted ahead of the tournament that it might be his last trip down Magnolia Lane as a competitor.

But he admitted after his round that he remains unsure if that will be the case, despite getting off to a spectacular start.

“I mean, yeah, it’s a great round,” he said. “I think I shot 71 the year I made the cut, and I hit two unbelievable shots on 18 that didn’t trickle down and I three-putted.

“I was 2-under, and I was so mad. Today I’m happy as a clam.

“But, I don’t know. I’m 65. I don’t feel 70. I don’t feel 50. Again, tomorrow, you know, could blow, rain, be difficult. I don’t feel like I’m going to go out there and forget how to play.

“That doesn’t mean I’m not going to shoot 77. It’s a hard course. I just don’t hit it far enough to make it easier.

“I can’t knock it on a Par-5 anymore. I used to do play them two, three-under. Hell, now play them one-over today and felt like I played them pretty damn well.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.