AUGUSTA, Ga. — Fred Couples has been here before, and he’s thinking the same things you are.
Can he do it at age 53?
And, how cool would that be?
“Now I get into this, ‘Am I good enough to play four good rounds in a row on a course like this?’ ’’ Couples said yesterday after shooting 71 to stand at 5-under at the Masters halfway mark, one shot behind leader Jason Day.
A year ago, Couples was tied for the tournament lead through 36 holes at 5-under, shot 75 on Saturday to fall into a tie for 11th entering the final round and ended up finishing in a tie for 12th.
“It didn’t happen last year,’’ Couples said. “I was 4‑over pretty fast on Saturday, which was a real bummer.
Couples, who won the Masters in 1992 and yesterday made his 27th cut in the 29 times he has played at Augusta, was asked what he would do if he won again.
“I would quit,’’ he said. “I’m going to quit when I win this thing, I swear to God. It’s probably not ever going to happen, but I’m going to retire.’’ Couples always has been associated with being “cool’’ by golf fans. It comes from the way he glides around the golf course, from his smooth, effortless swing and from his handsome looks.
He constantly carries an expression that suggests nothing bothers him.
Because of all these things, Couples has the distinction of being one of the most popular players among not only the fans but his peers.
“You know, I’m cool, but I can be a jerk, too,’’ he said jokingly. “So I’m a cool jerk.’’
Couples didn’t sound shocked he’s playing well again at Augusta, and why should he? He plays so well here, fits in so perfectly, he might as well own the cottage next door to the Butler Cabin.
“Fred loves this place,’’ fellow 50-something Bernhard Langer said yesterday. “This is his second home.’’
Couples said he had been working on his game entering this week after having not played well lately.
“I’m surprised, but I’m not like, you know, going to freak out over it,’’ he said. “I would like to have another run. Last year, both Jason [Dufner] and I, we struggled right off the bat and we really were a non-factor on Saturday and that was not really much fun. Hopefully, [today] will be a little different and I will play well and have a shot at [tomorrow].
“I mean, that’s my goal. But it is hard. I’m not going to kid you. I mean, it’s a hard course. I’m really tired.’’
He is, after all, 53.
But why not?
Why shouldn’t Couples, at age 53, win the Masters?
“I think it’s possible,’’ Langer said.