Guan Tianlang, the Chinese amateur golfer in 2013, and the former Masters champion, the American player Fred Couples in 2023, made the history books.
Svetozar PavlovićceletozasvetaUpdate: Apr 14th, 2024 15:33 EDT
ANDREW REDINGTONAFP
Augusta National Golf Club officials have implemented a 36-hole cut since 1957, with the low 40 players and ties advancing to the next round. Over the years, there have been several changes in the rules; the most significant change occurred in 2020. This rule is still in effect in 2024, where the low 50 players and ties qualify for the final 36 holes.
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Oldest golfers to make the cut at the Masters. 1. Fred Couples: 63 years, 187 days (2023)2. Bernhard Langer: 63 years, 80 days (2020)
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) April 8, 2023
Due to its strict cut policy, the Masters has always had a limited field. For instance, last season, the 88-man field was reduced to 86 after some players withdrew. This made making the cut even more challenging, requiring a high level of play.
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The Chinese Tianlang Guan is, at 14 years old, the youngest participant in the tournament’s history.REUTERS
The age of a player who makes the cut is essential to seeing the extremes one can reach in pursuing excellence. Therefore, there is a lot of respect for the Chinese golfer Guan Tianlang and the American Fred Couples, considering their age when they made the cut.
Fred Couples 2023
Fred Couples made history at the 2023 Augusta National by becoming the oldest player to make the cut in Masters history at the age of 63. He carded rounds of 71-74 for a 1-over total through 36 holes. Couples secured his place in Augusta National history by playing up for a closing bogey on Saturday morning after the play was suspended on Friday afternoon due to storms.
Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, broke the previous record held by Bernhard Langer in 2020 (63 years, 78 days). On that Saturday morning, Couples was 63 years and 187 days old. He has won 15 times on the PGA TOUR and 14 times on PGA TOUR Champions. He shares the record for making the cut in 23 consecutive Masters appearances between 1983 and 2007 with Gary Player and Tiger Woods.
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Augusta (United States), 09/04/2024.- US golfers, Tiger Woods (L) and Fred Couples (R) walk to the tee on the fifth hole during the second practice round for the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 09 April 2024. The Augusta National Golf Club will hold the Masters Tournament from 11 April through 14 April 2024. EFE/EPA/JUSTIN LANEJUSTIN LANEEFE
Couples holds several Masters records for 50-and-older players. He shot an opening-round 66 at the age of 50 in 2010 and carded a second-round 67 at the age of 52 in 2012. The sweet-swinging golfer hails from Seattle, Washington.
