Looking at the Masters leaderboard in this opening round on Thursday, there are plenty of names you would expect at the top. Players like Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland leading the way at 7-under don’t surprise many.
But what might surprise some is Fred Couples, who, at 63, entered the under-par locker room for his first round of the week.
As is the case with all Masters tournaments, past champions are given the opportunity to play in the tournament if they wish, and Couples usually takes Augusta National in the know when Masters week rolls around.
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Fred Couples watches a putt during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2023. (Andres Redington/Getty Images)
But while many former champions play two rounds and miss the cut, Couples has prepared to do so depending on how their second round goes on Friday.
The couples shot 71 on the par-72 course to finish 1-under en route to the clubhouse. It was the 78th round that Couples shot par or less at the Masters, which is second all-time behind golf legend Jack Nicklaus, a six-time Masters champion. Nicklaus and two other golfers, Gary Player and Tom Watson, start the tournament with their drive on hole one.
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The front nine was solid for Pairs, though he had two bogeys on holes five and nine to finish two up. But Couples decided to shake things up on the back nine.
After shooting par on the 10th and 11th holes, Couples hit back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th to get back to par for the day. Holes 11-13 are known as «Amen Corner» at the Masters, and are often the most challenging holes at Augusta National.
Fred Couples on the third green during the first round of the Masters Tournament on April 6, 2023. (Patricio Smith/Getty Images)
However, when you’ve played this course 38 times, Pairs knew how to approach it.
Holes 15 and 17 would see two more birdies from Couples, who moved up to his final hole of the day at 2-under for the round. He would get a bogey on the 18th hole, but he has to be impressed with his round that he would love to replicate with the bad weather approaching Augusta in the next few days.
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The only Tag Team Masters win came in 1992, though he has 14 other PGA Tour wins to his credit. The pairs didn’t hang up the golf spikes forever either, playing on the PGA Tour Champions, the senior tour, where he also won 14 times.
Fred Couples plays his shot from the fourth tee during the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2023. (Patricio Smith/Getty Images)
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As of now, Couples is tied for 23rd at the Masters.