Fred Couples made history at Augusta National on Thursday, shooting an impressive 1-under 71 in the first round of the 2025 Masters Tournament.
At 65 years old, the Seattle native became one of the oldest players in Masters history to break par on the challenging course.
The 1992 Masters champion is competing in his 40th Masters, joining an elite group of only 15 players in tournament history with at least that many appearances.
The highlight of Couples' round came on the par-4 14th hole, where he holed out from 191 yards for a spectacular eagle.
Fred Couples sunk an incredible eagle en route to finishing the day on 71
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"I hit it really, really well and it just carried the ridge," Couples said after his round.
The crowd erupted as the ball rolled into the cup, though Couples himself didn't see it go in.
His celebration was fitting for the moment as he pumped his fist, kissed his club, and exchanged fist-bumps with playing partners Taylor Pendrith and Harris English.
The eagle wasn't Couples' only brilliant shot of the day.
On the par-four first hole, he found himself off the green and 16 yards from the hole.
Rather than chipping, Couples opted to use his putter from off the green.
He expertly rolled the ball up the hill and onto the green with perfect pace, watching it drop for a birdie.
His round included two birdies, an eagle and three bogeys in total.
Couples is now the second-oldest player to break par at the Masters, with only Tom Watson achieving the feat at an older age (66) in 2015.
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Fred Couples extended his scoring record at Augusta National to 42 years
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His performance extends his scoring record at Augusta National to 42 years, surpassing Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson by two years.
In 2023, Couples became the oldest player ever to make the cut at the Masters at 63 years, 6 months, and five days.
Only Jack Nicklaus has made more cuts at Augusta National (37) than Couples (31).
"I don't think I've ever had an eagle on a par-4 here before," Couples said about his remarkable shot on the 14th, which he hit with a "6-rescue or hybrid, whatever you want to call them."
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Into the hole from 191 yards. Fred Couples eagles No. 14! #themasters pic.twitter.com/5KD2bMUKv6
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025
Couples also noted how comfortable he felt with his playing partners.
"When I get a pairing that I like, I feel more comfortable," he said. "This is hard to come and play here with these bombers."
Couples' strong opening round gives him a solid chance to make the cut on Friday, continuing his remarkable Masters legacy.
Throughout his illustrious career at Augusta, he has accumulated 11 top-10 and 20 top-25 finishes.
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Fred Couples has now played in 40 Masters tournaments
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He has completed 72 holes at the major in five different decades, a testament to his longevity and skill.
While he may not contend for the green jacket on Sunday, his under-par round at 65 is a remarkable achievement on such a challenging course.
