Fred Couples made a 9 at the Masters. Then he did something surprising

Fred Couples' Masters meltdown revealed something surprising about him. Getty Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — If you can bear it, take a few seconds to imagine how it felt to be Fred Couples on Masters Thursday afternoon.

Your day starts with a warmup. But really it begins before that, when the first patron sees you on site at Augusta National, and you can feel the first thought in their head. You’re 66 years old, playing at Augusta National for the forty-first time, and the rumors surrounding your competitive retirement from golf’s first major have gotten so loud you can’t even pretend to ignore them.

But you believe you can compete — not in a vain way, but really believe it — so you’ve showed up again. And you’ve showed up even though you know certain members of the public are snickering at you. Or worse, overlooking you.

And you’ve showed up with a bright yellow ball, because if they’re going to laugh anyway, you might as well laugh back. You arrive on Thursday with something to prove, and though you’re realistic about your goals, things go well. The weather is good.