AUGUSTA, Ga. — Is it 1995 or 2025? Regardless of the case, Fred {Couples}, the 1992 Masters champion, signed for a 1-under 71 on Thursday at Augusta Nationwide.
In keeping with Justin Ray of The Athletic{Couples}’ under-par rating through the first spherical got here 42 years after the primary time he posted a spherical in pink figures. That surpasses the earlier report set by Jack Nicklaus, whose first under-par got here in 1960 whereas his ultimate got here in 2000.
Fred {Couples}, 65, has carded a 1st spherical 71, 42 years after he broke par right here for the primary time in 1983.
Longest time between rounds beneath par, Masters historical past:
Fred {Couples}, 42 years, 1983-2025
Jack Nicklaus, 40 years, 1960-2000
Tom Watson, 40 years, 1975-2015— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 10, 2025
“I performed fairly nicely. I did gap a shot and actually undercut a shot on 13 and made an excellent six, which is an enormous increase. I hit a lot of the fairways and drove it nicely,” {Couples} mentioned.
“Obtained slightly windy and chipped slightly bit higher than I usually do round right here. I hit two actually, actually good pictures on 1. I don’t know if anybody noticed it. Flew proper by the outlet and trickled and trickled down the embankment down the place you don’t wish to ever be left. And I holed it. Putted it up in into the outlet for birdie.”
{Couples} had two tantalizing highlights, the primary approaching the opening gap, the place he chipped in for birdie.
Then, on the par-4 14th, instantly after he bogied the par-5 thirteenth, {Couples} hooped one in from 186 yards out for an eagle two.
“I believed I had sufficient to recover from (the ridge) after which they went loopy,” {Couples} mentioned of his second on 14.
“You already know, it was enjoyable. I don’t know if I’ve ever — have I ever had an eagle on the par-4 right here? I don’t assume so. I wouldn’t know. Nothing jumps in.”
He couldn’t see his ball go in, however the greatest roar of the day confirmed that it did.
“Once they begin to go like that, after which they roar fairly loud, (you recognize),” {Couples} added.
Of each participant who has performed 100 rounds or extra at Augusta, {Couples} ranks fourth on the all-time scoring common record. He trails solely Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson, boasting a outstanding 72.41 common. That ranks higher than Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer, who’ve every gained two Inexperienced Jackets apiece.
“I’ve been saying it for 40 years, I simply love the course,” {Couples} added.
“I can mess around right here. If the climate is like this and never onerous, I can — so long as I don’t do loopy issues, I can shoot 73 or 4 or 5. That’s not embarrassing myself in any respect. If I do this, if I did that immediately and are available again with 70 or 71 tomorrow, the purpose for me is to make the minimize. Identical with Langer. Some other historic guys? (Angel) Cabrera. That’s actually our purpose. Once I was 50 or 51, I really thought I may do very well, and did plenty of instances. At this time is a hell of a spherical. I’m exhausted. I’ll inform you what.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Observe him on X @jack_milko.
