1 week Ago By Toronto Sun
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Only Fred Couples can make a 6-hybrid cool. “I got a lot of head covers,” he said after his round.
On Thursday at the Masters, the 65-year-old green jacket winner shot a one-under 71, becoming the second oldest player to break par at the famed tournament. Tom Watson broke par at age 65 in 2015, but was a month older. Couples opening round began in style, rolling in a putt from off the green for birdie at the first hole.
But the highlight of the day was a hole-out eagle from 186 yards at the par-4 14th. With his 6-hybrid. “A 6-rescue or hybrid, whatever you want to call them,” the 1992 winner said.
“When I hit it, it was hit really, really well and it did just carry that ridge. ..
. I thought I had enough to get over there and then they went crazy.” “Have I ever had an eagle on a par-4 here?” Couples asked reporters after his round, assuming everyone around was a Freddie fan, which they usually are.
“I don’t think so. I wouldn’t know.” Only Fred Couples is cool enough not to remember.
Two years ago at age 63, the Masters mainstay became the oldest player to make the cut. This year marks Couples’ 40th Masters start, a milestone he enjoyed alongside Taylor Pendrith, who was making his Augusta National debut. “So cool.
He’s a legend in the game and a legend here,” the Canadian Pendrith said of Couples. “People love him. They show great respect to him.
They’re all cheering for him. It was really cool to play with him in my first and his 40th.” Although the company was great, it wasn’t the Masters debut Pendrith was looking for as the big-hitting 33-year-old shot a five-over-par 77.
“Did he drive it bad here and there? Of course he did. But he hit two beautiful shots on 15 and three putted from a brutal spot. That green is so fast and hard,” Couples said of Pendrith.
“He’ll be fine. He could shoot 69 tomorrow no problem.” There aren’t many people Couples doesn’t get along with, but he felt fortunate to play with Harris English and Pendrith.
“When I get a pairing that I like I feel more comfortable,” Couples said. “This is hard to come and play here with these bombers. I know Harris very well and T.
Pendrith is a superstar. He was fun. He’s a hockey nut.
I’m a hockey nut.” Comfortable wouldn’t be the way Pendrith would describe his feelings arriving to the first tee on Thursday morning. “I was super nervous.
I hit it left and hit a nice shot from the trees and left myself in a pretty good spot. Didn’t hit a good chip and didn’t hit a good putt,” he said. “A 77 would feel horrible at most places, but it’s pretty cool to be here.
Hopefully I have a good one tomorrow.” A tough round could be expected for a man finally living out his childhood dreams at Augusta National. But after battling shoulder and wrist injuries for years, Pendrith’s late-blooming career has shown great possibilities.
And whatever the result is this week, he has a little added motivation to earn his way back. “I can help him next year in a practice round or two,” Couples said. “I can’t really help him on the course (during the tournament) because I’m not even near him.
We stand on the tee and he hits it 330 and I hit it 275. I’m here and he’s down there. But I watch.
He hit a lot of really, really good shots.” As the pair walked off the 18th green toward the scoring cabin to sign for their opposite fortunes, Couples had his arm around Pendrith, resting his hand on the younger man’s shoulder. New friends looking like old buddies.
Only Fred Couples..
