Masters legend Fred Couples surpasses Jack Nicklaus with historic Augusta round after 42-year gap and eyes ambitious target
It’s hard to make history at golf’s most prestigious tournament. The Masters is in its 89th edition this year, so breaking new ground at the storied event is extremely rare. Fred Couples is playing in his 40th MastersGetty Except of course, if you’re 65-year-old Fred Couples. For the Augusta legend, it’s just another day at the park. The 1992 Masters champion made history on Thursday afternoon in the first round at Augusta National. He carded a first round score of 71. That is 42 years after he did it for the first time way back in 1983. Shooting a 71 breaks the record for the longest time between rounds under par. The men who previously held the record? Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, both at 40 years. You may have heard of them. Not only did Couples break a new record, but he also had one of the tournament’s first highlights, by burying an eagle from 191 yards out on the 14th hole. Couples had a great first day at Augusta NationalGetty The patrons couldn’t get enough of Couples on the first dayGetty For Couples, age is just a number as he participates in his remarkable 40th Masters Tournament. His 31 successful cuts rank second only to Nicklaus. He made 23 consecutive cuts from 1983-2007, which trails only Tiger Woods. And two years ago, at 63 years old, he became the oldest player to make the cutline. At one-under, he is currently tied for ninth. There’s no slowing down the ageless wonder. And after his sublime round, he had a chat with the media about it. He said: “I don’t want to be a clown. “But I can play golf. I can play around here. If the weather is like this and not hard, I can — as long as I don’t do crazy things — I can shoot 73 or 4 or 5. That’s not embarrassing myself at all. “If I do that, and did that today and come back with 70 or 71 tomorrow, the goal is for me to make the cut.” Read more on The Masters All you need to know about 2025 Masters including talkSPORT coverage Masters tee times, groupings and schedule confirmed at Augusta Iconic green ‘completely destroyed’ as drama awaits at Masters’ toughest hole – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National Exclusive: ‘Augusta is a mind game’ – Nick Faldo picks his 2025 Masters favourite and ‘puts tenner’ on 75-to-1 dark horse winner Exclusive: ‘Stars have aligned’ for generational talent Rory McIlroy to break Masters duck and complete career Grand Slam Exclusive: Lee Westwood names two LIV Golf players who can shock everyone at the Masters Rory McIlroy was summoned by Augusta National officials to discuss rule violation and possible Masters disqualification Nico Echavarria immediately hit with Masters curse in tournament no golfer wants to win Check out talkSPORT BET for the latest odds and bet boosts – welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets* To watch the Masters 2025, sign up to a Sky Sports subscription or read our guide to the best sky sports deals available now (if you click this link and make a purchase we will earn affiliate revenue)
It’s hard to make history at golf’s most prestigious tournament.
The Masters is in its 89th edition this year, so breaking new ground at the storied event is extremely rare.
Except of course, if you’re 65-year-old Fred Couples.
For the Augusta legend, it’s just another day at the park.
The 1992 Masters champion made history on Thursday afternoon in the first round at Augusta National.
He carded a first round score of 71.
That is 42 years after he did it for the first time way back in 1983.
Shooting a 71 breaks the record for the longest time between rounds under par.
The men who previously held the record?
Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, both at 40 years.
You may have heard of them.
Not only did Couples break a new record, but he also had one of the tournament’s first highlights, by burying an eagle from 191 yards out on the 14th hole.
For Couples, age is just a number as he participates in his remarkable 40th Masters Tournament.
His 31 successful cuts rank second only to Nicklaus.
He made 23 consecutive cuts from 1983-2007, which trails only Tiger Woods.
And two years ago, at 63 years old, he became the oldest player to make the cutline.
At one-under, he is currently tied for ninth.
There’s no slowing down the ageless wonder.
And after his sublime round, he had a chat with the media about it.
He said: “I don’t want to be a clown.
“But I can play golf. I can play around here. If the weather is like
this and not hard, I can — as long as I don’t do crazy things — I can
shoot 73 or 4 or 5. That’s not embarrassing myself at all.
“If I do that, and did that today and come back with 70 or 71 tomorrow, the goal is for me to make the cut.”
Read more on The Masters
All you need to know about 2025 Masters including talkSPORT coverage
Masters tee times, groupings and schedule confirmed at Augusta
Iconic green ‘completely destroyed’ as drama awaits at Masters’ toughest hole – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National
Exclusive: ‘Augusta is a mind game’ – Nick Faldo picks his 2025 Masters favourite and ‘puts tenner’ on 75-to-1 dark horse winner
Exclusive: ‘Stars have aligned’ for generational talent Rory McIlroy to break Masters duck and complete career Grand Slam
Exclusive: Lee Westwood names two LIV Golf players who can shock everyone at the Masters
Rory McIlroy was summoned by Augusta National officials to discuss rule violation and possible Masters disqualification
Nico Echavarria immediately hit with Masters curse in tournament no golfer wants to win
Check out talkSPORT BET for the latest odds and bet boosts – welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*
To watch the Masters 2025, sign up to a Sky Sports subscription or read our guide to the best sky sports deals available now (if you click this link and make a purchase we will earn affiliate revenue)
