Few people – if necessary – love masters more than Fred couples. And few players – if necessary – are more loved by customers.
Couples, making his 40th appearance in Masters, gave them a lot to encourage Augusta National on Thursday, where the 65-year-old man posted a 71-mes of 71, becoming the second oldest player in the history of the tournament to be pulled under the peer (Tom Watson, at the time about a month more than couples, fired 71 in the first round in 2015).
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The ultimate highlight came to the 14th par-4, where the 1992 champion put on a 6-hybrid of 191 yards for Eagle.
This took couples from 1 to 1 sous, where he finished after having implemented. He also started his day on a fairly good note, rolling in a green putt in the first and celebrating with customers.
“Today is a hell of a round,” said couples, who struck 12 of the 14 fairways, but only seven of the 18 green regulations. “I’m exhausted, I’m going to tell you what.”
He will rest with a Friday afternoon time of the tee. Then he will resume his quest to make the cup, as he did two years ago.
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“I am 65 years old. I don’t feel 70. I don’t feel 50,” he said. “Tomorrow – you know, could breathe, the rain is difficult. I don’t feel like going to go there and forget how to play.
“Today, I am happy as a clam.”
