Oldest player to make the Masters cut: How Fred Couples can rewrite own record in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Entering 2026, Fred Couples has made the Masters cut 31 times, a number surpassed only by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. He also made the event’s cut on 23 consecutive occasions from 1983 to 2007—only Tiger Woods has done it more.
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And now, even though Couples is eligible for Medicare, he’s back at the Masters looking to make yet another cut.
How historic is Couples’ performance among the pantheon of golfing legends? Some step away from the game at a certain age, but Couples just keeps going.
Let’s dive into the history books to analyze his performance.
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Who is the oldest player to make the Masters cut?
Fred Couples holds the record, having made the cut in 2023 when he was 63 years old.
This year, Couples (now 66) looks to add to history and break his own record, as the golfing veteran marches forward toward another potential cut.
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How old is Fred Couples
Fred Couples is 66 years old, and turned pro back in 1980. For reference, Couples began his pro career when the number one song on the radio was Blondie’s “Call Me.”
He achieved the World No. 1 rank in 1992, holding it for 16 weeks. After this ranking system debuted in 1986, Couples was the first American to rank No. 1.
MORE: A throwback to Bernhard Langer’s age-defying record in 2020
Oldest players to make the Masters cut
Fred Couples broke the record in 2023, but he’s not far off in age from his predecessors. Bernhard Langer broke the record in 2020, although last year was Langer’s last time competing at the Masters. This year, he was limited to the Par 3 Contest.
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Tommy Aaron held the record prior to Langer. Now 89 years old, Aaron made the cut in 2000 at age 63.
|
Name |
Age |
Year |
|
Fred Couples |
63 years, 187 days |
2023 |
|
Bernhard Langer |
63 years, 78 days |
2020 |
|
Tommy Aaron |
63 years, 45 days |
2000 |
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