Fred Couples Electrifies Masters Crowd With Hot Start in First Round at Augusta

The 1992 Masters champion still has it.

Fred Couples reacts to making a birdie at Augusta National. / Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Fred Couples sure knows how to get the Masters crowd pumped up, even in his 40th appearance at the major tournament.

One amazing shot Couples made was on Hole 14 when he chipped a shot in for an eagle. His ball rolled down the green all the way into the hole, understandably causing a loud and excited reaction from the crowd. He had bogeyed Nos. 11 and 13 and got back to 1 under after his incredible eagle.

Fred Couples eagle on 14. Magnificent pic.twitter.com/goos7ozkwb

— Tiger’s Burner (@DerozansBurner_) April 10, 2025

But that’s not where Couples’s wow factor began on Thursday. From the eighth group to go out on Thursday morning, he stunned the crowd on No. 1 when he birdied with a long putt from off the green. Couples had a little bit of an incline for the putt, too, but that didn't seem to bother him.

The crowd immediately burst into loud cheers for the 65-year-old golf legend. Couples even celebrated with some of the crowd by high-fiving them.

The 1992 Masters champion still has it.

Fred Couples started his first round off right. #themasters pic.twitter.com/0bl2M4tYV2

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025

Couples is aiming to make more Masters history this weekend by becoming the oldest golfer to make the cut at the prestigious tournament. Funnily enough, Couples would be breaking his own record that he made back in 2023 when he was 63 years old. Couples is the 15th golfer to play in the Masters at least 40 times. He's made the cut 31 times, which is second most times behind Jack Nicklaus's 37 cuts.

Let's see how Couples continues to wow golf fans this weekend.

---

More Masters Coverage on Sports Illustrated

feed