Fred Kobles makes Masters history as the oldest player to hit a win at the Augusta National at 63 years, six months and five days, beating Bernard Langer’s 2020 record
Fred Couples made Masters history by becoming the oldest player to be named the first major of the year.
The 63-year-old backed up his opening round of 71 with a 74 on Saturday morning, returning at the Augusta National to wrap up his second round after the play was halted on Friday.
After putting the finishing touches on his second round, the 1992 champion headed to the clubhouse in one putt, just one shot below the expected cut line, and poised to get to the final 36 holes.
Aged 63 years, six months and five days, Pairs will be the oldest player to make the cut at The Masters, beating Bernhard Langer’s record from 2020 when the German hit the weekend at 63 years, two months and 18 days.
There is really no secret. Couples said everyone loves this place. “It doesn’t mean you’ll play well. If you hit it really hard, I’m a good iron player.
Red Couples made Masters history as he became the oldest player to make the cut
The 63-year-old boosted his opening round of 71 with 74 on Saturday morning
I can’t compete with Victor Hoveland or John Rahm or anyone else, but I can compete with myself, and that’s really why I come. That’s what I like to do is make the cut here at an older age.
He only had one hole to play on Saturday morning after the weather and downed trees stopped play on Friday.
He only needed a bogey to ensure his place safely on the weekend field and he easily found the fairway on the 18th.
However, his second shot was partially blocked by the pine trees that line the famous Georgia track, and he was forced to lie down about 50 yards away.
He found the green safe with his third but could not sink a 20-foot par. He settled on the five ghosts, enough to see him through.
Pairs has a decorated Masters career, this week marking his 40th major championship appearance.
This will be the 31st time he’s made the cut in Augusta, but he has a way to go to catch Jack Nicklaus’ record of 37.
Pairs was the first American winner in five years in Augusta when he slipped into the green jacket in 1992, defeating 1976 champion Raymond Floyd by two shots.
His only win comes among 11 top-10 finishes since his Augusta debut in 1979, but whether he can climb the leaderboard on a wet moving day this year remains to be seen.
Couples broke Bernhard Langer’s record of 63 years, 2 months and 18 days set in 2020
This week marks the Masters’ 40th pairs debut with its only win coming in 1992
