Jackson Reid
Fred Couples is a professional golfer who has been named to the United States Ryder Cup team five times and was the first American player to reach number one in the Official World Golf Rankings in 1992. He is sometimes called Mr. Skins due to his dominance in the Skins Game, which he has won five times. Couples is still active in golf and will play in his 40th Masters in 2026 at the age of 65. However, he has hinted at retirement in recent years, citing concerns about his health and age.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current status | Fred Couples hasn't retired from golf as of 2025 |
| Retirement plans | Couples has expressed fear of injury and consideration of retirement |
| Recent performance | Couples is one of the oldest players to break par at the Masters |
| Age | Couples is 65 years old as of 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Fred Couples' golf career highlights
Fred Couples is a professional golfer who has had a long and illustrious career. He is sometimes called "Mr. Skins" or the "King of the Silly Season" because of his dominance in the Skins Game, a title he earned by winning the event five times and accumulating over $3.5 million and 77 skins in 11 appearances. Couples has also been named to the United States Ryder Cup team five times, in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997.
In 1992, Couples became the first American player to reach the number one position in the Official World Golf Rankings. He spent 16 weeks at the top, after one of the hottest ever starts to a PGA Tour season by a player. He won two tournaments and finished second in two others in the five weeks leading up to The Masters. At Augusta, Couples continued his momentum, shooting in the 60s in each of the first three rounds and ultimately securing a second-place position heading into the final round. He went on to win the 1992 Masters, becoming a green jacket winner.
Couples has had nine top-10 finishes in the Open Championship, including tying for third in 1991 at Royal Birkdale and again in 2005 at St Andrews. He also won two prestigious European Tour events, the Dubai Desert Classic and the Johnnie Walker Classic, in back-to-back weeks in 1995. In addition to his international success, Couples has had notable performances on the Champions Tour, nearly winning his debut tournament, the 2010 Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii, and then winning his next three starts.
Despite ongoing back problems that have plagued him since 1994, Couples continues to compete at a high level. At the 2023 Masters, he became the oldest player to make the cut at a Masters Tournament at the age of 63, finishing 1-over-par after the second round. In 2025, at the age of 65, Couples shot a one-under 71, becoming the second-oldest player to break par. Couples has stated that he has no plans on retiring yet, and he will play in his 40th Masters in 2026.
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Couples' injuries and health concerns
Fred Couples is an American professional golfer who has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Couples has won 64 professional tournaments, including the Masters Tournament in 1992 and the Players Championship in 1984 and 1996. He is also a five-time winner of the Skins Game, earning him the nickname "Mr. Skins".
Despite his success, Couples has also dealt with injuries and health concerns throughout his career. In 2023, at the age of 63, Couples became the oldest player to make the cut at a Masters Tournament. However, his performance in the tournament that year was disappointing, and he expressed concern about whether the tournament wanted him to continue participating. Couples has also dealt with personal losses, including the deaths of his estranged second wife, Thais Baker, from breast cancer in 2009, and his first wife, Deborah, who died by suicide in 2001.
In addition to his own experiences, Couples has also been a source of support for fellow golfer Tiger Woods during his recovery from injuries. Woods suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2025, ruling him out of PGA Tour competition for the rest of the year. Couples provided updates on Woods' recovery, commenting on his positive attitude and expressing his support for his friend.
Couples himself has experienced injuries that have impacted his golf game. While he has not shared specific details about his injuries, Couples has acknowledged the physical toll that golf can take on the body. In an interview, he reflected on the challenge of maintaining his performance as he ages:
> "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."
Despite these challenges, Couples continues to compete and defy expectations. At the 2025 Masters, Couples, at 65 years old, became the second oldest player to break par, showcasing his resilience and determination to continue playing at a high level despite any injuries or health concerns.
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Retirement plans and updates
Fred Couples is a veteran golfer who has had a long and illustrious career. He has been a dominant force in the world of golf since the late 1980s and experienced huge success in the 1990s, becoming the first American to reach the number one position in the Official World Golf Rankings in 1992.
Despite his age, Couples continues to compete at the highest level. In 2023, at the age of 63, he became the oldest player to make the cut at a Masters Tournament, finishing 1-over-par after the second round. He also made headlines in 2025 when, at 65, he became the second-oldest player to break par at the Masters, shooting a one-under 71.
However, Couples has hinted at retirement in recent years, expressing concerns about his health and the potential for injury. In 2024, he stated that he was "so afraid to hurt [himself]" and that he did not want to "embarrass [himself]" or the Augusta National tournament. He suggested that he would continue to play at select tournaments, choosing those he could manage, but would not be travelling around and playing full-time.
Despite these hints at retirement, Couples has not yet officially announced any plans to retire. In fact, in 2025, he stated his intention to play in the Masters again in 2026, indicating that he is not ready to call it quits just yet. With his impressive longevity and enduring skill, Couples continues to be a notable presence on the professional golf circuit.
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Couples' Masters appearances
Fred Couples has had a long and illustrious career at the Masters, with 2025 marking his 40th appearance at the tournament. Couples' Masters journey began in 1992, when he became the first American player to reach the number one position in the Official World Golf Rankings. He won the Masters that year, and his career took off.
Couples has made 31 cuts at the Masters, the third-most of all time, and held the record for the oldest player to make the cut at a Masters Tournament at the age of 63 years in 2023. He has had nine top-10 finishes in the Open Championship and has been named to the United States Ryder Cup team five times.
Despite his success, Couples has also faced challenges, particularly with back ailments that plagued him since 1994. In recent years, he has questioned whether he should continue competing at Augusta, not wanting to "embarrass" himself or the tournament. However, in 2025, Couples became the second-oldest player to break par at the Masters, finishing with a 1-under 71.
Couples has stated that he still enjoys playing golf and will continue to do so as long as he is physically able. He plans to play in the 2026 Masters, which will be his 41st appearance at the tournament.
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Couples' influence on golf video games
Fred Couples is an American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions. He has won 64 professional tournaments, including the Masters Tournament in 1992, the Players Championship in 1984 and 1996, and the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average. He was the first American player to reach the number one position in the Official World Golf Rankings and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013.
In addition to his impressive golfing career, Couples has also left his mark on the world of golf video games. He has lent his name and expertise to two video games: "Fred Couples Golf" for the Game Gear and "Golf Magazine: 36 Great Holes Starring Fred Couples" for the 32X. Both games were published by Sega in 1994.
"Fred Couples Golf" allows players to tee off against Couples or play as him, driving the ball 300-plus yards with his powerful swings. The game features four challenging courses, four modes of play, and realistic golf features such as ball control and sand traps. It received mixed reviews, with some praising the practice mode, animations, and controls, while others criticized the graphical layout.
"Golf Magazine: 36 Great Holes Starring Fred Couples" offers players the chance to step into the shoes of Couples and take on some of the most renowned holes in golf. The game showcases Couples' influence and popularity, providing players with the opportunity to emulate his skills and strategies on iconic golf courses.
Through these video games, Couples has not only left a lasting impact on the sport but has also contributed to the evolution of golf-themed video games. His involvement has helped to bridge the gap between the virtual and real worlds of golf, offering players a unique and immersive experience on the digital fairways.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Fred Couples has not retired from golf. In 2024, Couples said he had plans to continue playing for a couple more years.
Fred Couples is 65 years old.
Fred Couples became the first American player to reach the number one position in the Official World Golf Rankings in 1992. He has also won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average and has been named to the United States Ryder Cup team five times.
Yes, Fred Couples has considered retirement due to fears of injury and health issues. However, as of 2024, he stated that he plans to continue playing for a couple more years.
Fred Couples still actively participates in golf tournaments. In 2025, he played in his 40th Masters Tournament and became one of the oldest players to break par at Augusta.
