Confirmed: Fred Couples Will Compete in 2026 Masters Tournament
This week signified the final Masters Tournament for Bernhard Langer, but Fred Couples believes he has at least one more left in him.
Both Langer and Couples were on pace to make the cut late in the second round on Friday before mistakes towards the end led them to 3-over 147 and 4-over 148, respectively. The cut line ended up at 2 over par.
It was Langer's 41st appearance at the Masters and Couples' 40th. Despite bogeying three of his last five holes, Couples was disappointed with his performance but is already planning on returning to Augusta National Golf Club next year, when he will be 66 years old.
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\"Well, of course, I will be playing next year,\" Couples stated. \"They made it clear that they want me to come back, so I will be returning next year.
\"Once I get in my car and drive down Magnolia Lane and come back tomorrow for a nice lunch, I will be fine. But my goal is not just to make the cut at my age. Unfortunately, I did not achieve that and I am trying to figure out why my performance was so mediocre.\"
The 1992 champion had a great start to the week on Thursday, shooting a 1-under 71 and becoming the second-oldest player to shoot a round under par at the Masters. Only Tom Watson was older when he did so in 2015.
Couples' first round included a hole-out eagle at the par-4 14th from almost 200 yards. However, he struggled on Friday, shooting a 5-over 77 with six bogeys and only one birdie.
On the par-5 15th, he hit his drive far left into the trees.
\"Obviously, on 15, I hit the worst drive I have hit in 20 years,\" he joked afterwards.
\"This course is tough when the wind is blowing,\" he added. \"It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. I could have shot a 73 or an 80. I ended up shooting somewhere in between because I made a couple of putts.
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\"But I am not upset about anything. I gave it my all, and let me tell you, this is a difficult course.\"
Couples expressed his appreciation for the things that have remained consistent at Augusta National over the past four decades.
\"You know what never changes? The fans, the people who come out to watch. There are 30,000 of them every day we play,\" he said. \"The egg salad sandwiches are still $2, which is my favorite sandwich. The greens are still lightning fast and they will be even harder tomorrow.\"
The Masters is not just any tournament for Couples. It is an understatement to say that it is his favorite of the four majors.
\"... Other people may say, 'I am from Scotland, so the British Open is the best.' But for me, the Masters is the greatest tournament of all time. It is truly one of a kind.\"
