Fred Couples suffers collapse at the Masters after promising start.

Fred Couples experiences nightmare at Augusta: disaster on the final holes ruins debut at the 2026 Masters

Augusta, Georgia – What seemed to be a smooth journey for Fred Couples at the 41st Masters turned into a true nightmare on the back nine of the legendary Augusta National course. At 66 years old, the former champion from 1992 struggled with the treacherous waters of the 15th and 16th holes, sinking into a series of errors that led him to record an opening round of 78 strokes, far below expectations for the veteran.

Up until the 14th hole, Couples was 2 under par, navigating with confidence and experience. However, the strategy on the par-5 15th hole proved to be the turning point. Opting for a safe play and a lay-up, Couples saw his next shot land directly in the water. And it was not an isolated incident: his following stroke also fell into the lake, resulting in a disastrous 9 strokes on that hole.

“At that moment, I felt I had the perfect distance for the third shot, about 90 yards,” the golfer confessed after the round. “I had seen some players, outside my group, trying to carry the ball over the green. I thought it was a shot I could manage.” But reality proved otherwise, and the water was relentless.

The disaster continued at the 16th hole, where another ball plunged into the water, contributing to a total of 8 strokes over par on holes 15 to 17. The final result was a total of 34 strokes in the first half of the course and 44 in the second, a brutal contrast that shows how the Augusta course can be unforgiving even for the most experienced.

“I’ve played here for 41 years and I’ve never hit a 90-yard shot into the water… and then another right after,” Couples admitted honestly. “All the energy disappeared after that disaster. I know I can’t reach the par-5s in two shots, so I’m going to keep opting for the lay-up.”

Despite the evident disappointment, Fred Couples maintained his composure and agreed to answer reporters’ questions after the round. “I do this at Augusta. I love this place, regardless of how I play on the course,” he stated. “If I were younger, maybe I would go crazy over these mistakes, pointing fingers at everyone. But now, I have a different mindset.”

This dramatic episode involving Fred Couples at the 2026 Masters serves as a clear warning of the power and difficulty that Augusta National continues to exert even over the most legendary players. The veteran’s struggle continues, but the course shows no mercy and promises intense emotions in this edition of the most prestigious tournament in world golf.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.