Fred Couples’ Rory McIlroy joke has Masters media in stitches

Rory McIlroy is attempting to become just the fourth man ever to win back-to-back Masters titles. Jack Nicklaus did so in 1965 and 1966. Nick Faldo accomplished the feat in ’89 and ’90. Then Tiger Woods won two straight green jackets in 2001 and 2002.

Meanwhile, 1992 Masters winner Fred Couples was looking to make some history of his own. Through 14 holes at the age of 66 (the oldest player in the field this year), Couples was 2-under par and three off the lead. Sadly, Couples quadruple bogeyed the par-5 15th and followed that up with two more doubles coming home.

He finished his day with a 6-over 78. Yet, he was in good spirits following his round.

While speaking about the difficult conditions, he cracked the perfect joke that even McIlroy will love.

“For the really good players, I think they want it like this. I know the Jon Rahms, the Schefflers, the Spieths, the Rory’s,” Couples said before going off on a tangent.

"Rory may never lose this thing again after last year."

Fred Couples thinks Rory's already got the Masters locked up. pic.twitter.com/2nOpN53xlP

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) April 9, 2026

“By the way, Rory may never lose this thing again after last year,” he said, leaving media members chuckling. “I said that to my caddie, on I think, the 12th hole. Then he birdied, made a couple coming in.”

Indeed. The Northern Irishman birdied 13, 14, and 15 to finish his day at 5-under par. He is tied with Sam Burns atop the Masters leaderboard through 18 holes.

As well as he is playing, winning the title this year will likely take something special. The leaderboard is a who’s who of major champions.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is three shots back. He is tied with Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, and Xander Schauffele. Jason Day and Patrick Reed are one shot better at 3-under.

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