Couples’ Masters Cut Streak Comes To End

One of the longest Masters streaks came to an end Friday, when former Masters Champion Fred Couples failed to make the 36-hole cut for the first time in his 24-year career here.

Couples came to the par-4 18th hole needing a birdie to extend his streak and break the all-time 36-hole cut record shared with Gary Player.

After a brilliant approach shot, he faced a downhill 10-foot putt for birdie which would have let him play on the weekend. But his try slid past the cup.

"I'm usually pretty good at downhill putts," he said. "I had one similar here three years ago. It would have been fun to make a few, but I didn't."

Couples said Thursday's 76 was the 'killer.' "It was just a bad day," he said. "I would rather be standing here talking about my round than a cut streak. I don't think it was that big of a deal."

Couples, a 1992 Champion, said while he was sorry to see his cut streak end, nothing could end his love for Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters.

"It's just my favorite course in the world," he admitted. "I've felt very good every year that I've gone there, stepping on the first tee. It is a place that I really, really like and like everything about it. That's very positive for me."

Couples was at six-over-par for the Tournament after a bogey at the par-4 11th hole, but came back with birdies on the second nine par 5s, 13 and 15, to cut it to four over par.

After missing a birdie putt on the 17th hole, he blistered his drive down the middle of the 18th fairway and his 148-yard eight-iron covered the flagstick.

The ball hit near the top shelf of the green and rolled back toward the pin, bringing cheers from the Patrons around the green.

Couples tied Gary Player's record last year and said he would have been happy to yield the spotlight to his fellow Champion.

"I always said records were made to be broken and if he had done it, I would have been the first to shake his hand," Player said.

Despite missing out on his own bit of Masters history, Couples was philosophical about his fate.

"I mean, it (was) a very nice thing," Couples said. "Two Masters Green Jackets would be a lot better than making these cuts."