Fred Couples Joins This Exclusive Masters Club in 2025

Fred Couples is part of the furniture at Augusta National. A participant since 1983, a champion in 1992, a contender for what felt like centuries, a regular on the leaderboard into his 50s, and the oldest competitor to make the cut at the age of 63.

The smooth-swinging American with a fittingly chilled demeanour to go alongside it, Couples has long been a favourite with the galleries at The Masters, but at 65, there have been questions about just how long that relationship will continue. 

Masters champions have a lifetime exemption into the tournament, meaning that the decision to finally step aside is theirs alone, but acceptance of when that moment is right has been a challenging obstacle for many past greats.

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This year, Bernhard Langer will play one last time at the age of 67, but after missing the cut 12 months ago, Couples had wondered whether the event organisers would rather that he didn't bother teeing it up in the future. 

His anxieties were calmed after a phone call with the Masters Chief Tournament Officer, Steve Ethun.

Speaking to Golfweek, Couples said: "I told Steve two things. First, that I don’t want to embarrass myself. And that I’m certainly not going to embarrass Augusta National. Steve goes, ‘We already know that. We want you to keep playing.’I can’t tell you how much my blood pressure went down."

Couples then started calling his friends and family, including caddie George Downing. "George could hear it in my voice," Couples said. "He goes, ‘Did you win the lottery?’ I said, ‘No, George. I get to keep playing the Masters.’"

This week, Fred Couples will play in his 40th Masters Tournament, which places him in some truly elite company.

Golfers Who Have Played in The Most Masters Tournaments

52 - Gary Player (1957-2009)

50 - Arnold Palmer (1955-2004)

49 - Doug Ford (1952-2001)

45 - Raymond Floyd (1965-2009)

45 - Jack Nicklaus (1959-2005)

45 - Billy Casper (1957-2005)

44 - Sam Snead (1937-1983)

44 - Ben Crenshaw (1972-2015)

43 - Tom Watson (1970-2016)

42 - Tommy Aaron (1959-2005)

42 - Sandy Lyle (1980-2023)

41* - Bernhard Langer (1982-2025)

40 - Charles Coody (1963-2006)

40 - Larry Mize (1984-2023)

40* - Fred Couples (1983-2025)

* Includes 2025 Masters

Couples becomes the 15th player to compete in 40 Masters Tournaments, with the promise that there could be a few more to come, which will delight his many fans at Augusta National.

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