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AUGUSTA, Ga. — Fred Couples was coasting. Competing in his 41st Masters Tournament, Freddie was 2-under after 14 holes before electing to lay-up at the par-5 15th.
Then, splash. Next shot? Liquid again.
LEADERBOARD: 2026 Masters scores, tee times, videos
Couples carded a 9 on No. 15 and compounded the damage at the 16th with another water ball. In all, the 1992 Champ played Nos. 15-17 in 8-over. He posted an opening round 78 after a pair of closing double bogeys.
“I actually had a perfect yardage,” Couples said of his 90-yard third shot at No. 15. “I had seen a couple other guys, not in my group, but skip it over that green. I just felt like it was a shot I can handle.”
Following his nine at No. 15, Couples admitted, “All the gas was gone.” The 66-year-old said he’s incapable of reaching Augusta National’s par-5’s in two shots and will continue to lay-up.
Following his round, Couples said, “I’ve never hit a 90-yard shot in the water and then followed up with another one. I've played 41 years here. I've never done that.”
Couples carded a first-nine 34, followed by a 44 on his second nine, yet still made himself available for a post-round interview.
“I do it at Augusta. I love this place. No matter what I shoot,” Couples said of not shying away from questions. "If I was 35 (years old) and did that I would be going bananas on everybody. You, you, you. And I would've ran right by and told you to get out of my life.”
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Masters 2026: Fred Couples implodes on second nine in first round
Continue reading...
Then, splash. Next shot? Liquid again.
LEADERBOARD: 2026 Masters scores, tee times, videos
Couples carded a 9 on No. 15 and compounded the damage at the 16th with another water ball. In all, the 1992 Champ played Nos. 15-17 in 8-over. He posted an opening round 78 after a pair of closing double bogeys.
“I actually had a perfect yardage,” Couples said of his 90-yard third shot at No. 15. “I had seen a couple other guys, not in my group, but skip it over that green. I just felt like it was a shot I can handle.”
Following his nine at No. 15, Couples admitted, “All the gas was gone.” The 66-year-old said he’s incapable of reaching Augusta National’s par-5’s in two shots and will continue to lay-up.
Following his round, Couples said, “I’ve never hit a 90-yard shot in the water and then followed up with another one. I've played 41 years here. I've never done that.”
Couples carded a first-nine 34, followed by a 44 on his second nine, yet still made himself available for a post-round interview.
“I do it at Augusta. I love this place. No matter what I shoot,” Couples said of not shying away from questions. "If I was 35 (years old) and did that I would be going bananas on everybody. You, you, you. And I would've ran right by and told you to get out of my life.”
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Masters 2026: Fred Couples implodes on second nine in first round
Continue reading...
