It was 25 years ago when Fred Couples donned the Green Jacket, winning the 1992 Masters.
On a windy Friday at the Augusta National Golf Club, the 57-year-old who seems forever young, showed he’s still got it, at least when he steps on the grounds at this marvelous major championship.
Couples shot 70 in the difficult conditions to post one-under par 143 and found himself tied for sixth, just three shots behind the foursome of leaders and very much in contention going into the weekend. He’s one of only nine players under par and the only one on the AARP mailing list.
“It’s very odd — I putt really well here. I need to make some putts tomorrow (Saturday) to hang with these guys,” Couples said after his day’s work was finished.
Couples brought the crowd to its feet at the 18th hole when his final approach shot of the day landed four yards past the hole then started moving back toward the cup on a perfect line, barely missing the hole for what would have been an eagle two. “It was a perfect club, I heard the roar, I thought it was in,” Couples said.
Is Couples still capable of winning come Sunday?
“I’m a competitor, so yes,” Couples said quickly. “I really wanna do well here. I’m a little edgy because I know I can still play the course. But I have to make the putts. I’d have to play unbelievable golf.”
Couples wasn’t the only over 55 player to hang around for the weekend.
Larry Mize, the 1987 champion who won in a playoff when he chipped in at the 11th hole to beat Greg Norman, made the cut on the number age 58 with rounds of 74-76, six-over.
