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.
Based on 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 crimson figures. That surpasses the earlier document 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 properly. I did gap a shot and actually undercut a shot on 13 and made a terrific six, which is a giant increase. I hit a lot of the fairways and drove it properly,” {Couples} stated.
“Acquired just a little windy and chipped just a little 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 opening and trickled and trickled down the embankment down the place you don’t need to ever be left. And I holed it. Putted it up in into the opening for birdie.”
{Couples} had two tantalizing highlights, the first 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} stated of his second on 14.
“You realize, 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 suppose 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 know],” {Couples} added.
Of each participant who has performed 100 rounds or extra at Augusta, {Couples} ranks fourth on the all-time scoring common checklist. 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 received 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 objective for me is to make the reduce. Similar with Langer. Every other historic guys? [Angel] Cabrera. That’s actually our objective. After I was 50 or 51, I really thought I may do rather well, and did plenty of occasions. At this time is a hell of a spherical. I’m exhausted. I’ll let you know what.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.
