‘Ecstatic’ Fred Couples back to his best at Masters

Fred Couples, aged 50 and with a dodgy back, says it would be a pipe-dream to win The Masters this week. But the American woke up this morning with that dream still alive after firing a 66 to top the leaderboard.

The 1992 champion notched seven birdies and a lone bogey to claim his best score in 97 rounds at Augusta and become the oldest player to be the outright first-round leader.

He was one ahead of another golden oldie, 60-year-old Tom Watson, and Lee Westwood with Ian Poulter one further back alongside Tiger Woods.

"I'm ecstatic," said Couples. "You're always nervous, because, no matter what age you are, you want to do well. I wasn't expecting too much, to be honest with you but once I got going I just kept making putts.

"To win Augusta aged 50 would be a pipe-dream. Can I still win? Of course. It would be a nice dream, that's for sure, but I've got a lot of golf left to even think about being in contention."

His round was even more remarakable given the health issues, which forced him to ditch the usual golfer's footwear.

"I've had back problems a long time so I wear nothing but tennis shoes when I play," said Couples. "When I do that I usually don't wear socks."

Couples is a man reborn after switching this season to the Seniors Tour, where he has won three times in four starts and is an incredible 77 under par for 12 rounds.

"I'm the youngest guy out there," he added. "I feel like I'm a very good player, and I'm one of the guys to beat out there. And I think that's a good sign when you start winning."

Couples would be the oldest major champion, which highlights the magnitude of what he and Watson are trying to do. Nine months after being one putt away from winning The Open he is challenging again following a 67 that matched his lowest at Augusta.

Watson has missed the last seven cuts in the event, crashed out with a worst-ever 83 last year and told Jack Nicklaus on Tuesday that he considered the 7,435-yard lay-out too long for him.

But the words of his son inspired him. He revealed: "He said Dad, show me you can still play this course.' You know what, I wanted to show him I could."

Despite the magical performances of Couples and Watson, they could not take the spotlight away from Woods.

The world No1 was playing his first tournament in five months following revelations of his affairs but posted his best ever-start at Augusta.

"It's unbelievable," said Woods. "I would think that a couple under par would have been probably a pretty good start. If I putted well, it could have been a really special round."

Asked about his rousing reception by the fans, Woods replied: "I haven't heard them cheer this loud here."