Fred Couples shot a 1-under 71 in the opening round of the Masters on Thursday, the 65-year-old former champion proving to himself as much as anyone else that he still belongs.

At 65 years old, 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples turned back the clock for an incredible eagle on the 14th hole at the 2025 Masters.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Fred Couples scored one for the old guys on Thursday. Couples, 65, became the second-oldest man ever to shoot under par at the Masters, finishing with a 1-under 71 that left him walking off 18th green to the adoration of the thousand or so assembled patrons — and in the top 10 at that moment on the leaderboard.

Former champion Fred Couples, in his 40th Masters start, said he was dog-tired but "happy as a clam" after carding an opening-round one-under 71 at Augusta National on Thursday.

One of the best parts of the Masters is seeing the legendary champions of the past still play and compete, even if only for a couple rounds. In 2023, Fred Couples made the cut at 63 years old, an incredible feat,

Couples gave those around the first green plenty to cheer about Thursday at Augusta National when he chipped in for birdie, and he embraced the celebration. Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, is making his 40th start in the season’s first major.