11-04-2025
Fred Couples brought some magic to the Masters
Fred Couples brought some magic to the Masters
This is For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Here's Mike Sykes.
Good morning, Winners! Fred Couples had a bit of Masters Magic cooking on Thursday to open the tournament up. Fingers crossed that he brings more to the table today.
After bogeying two holes early on, Couples went for eagle on the 14th in what was an absolutely shocking turn of events. The 65-year-old masterfully pulled this off. The way that hilarious yellow ball sailed through the air from 191 yards out and, eventually, into the hole was a thing of beauty.
The crowd went insane.
Can you blame them? Again, Couples is 65. After the 14th hole, he was tied for 6th in the tournament. By the end of the day, he was tied for 11th at one under par. Regardless, this was an incredible moment that could lead to a potentially incredible story for the tournament.
The Masters is always generally a good time. It's the Masters — the most prestigious event in golf. People are always going to enjoy this. But I think the tournament is at its best when either one of two things happen:
We get a run of dominance from someone like we haven't seen before, the way we used to get from Tiger Woods. Or...
Someone you wouldn't have guessed in a million years makes a run that you just didn't see coming.
That first category is probably reserved for the Scottie Schefflers of the world, at this point. But, if Couples keeps it up, he'll fall into that second category. I'd argue that's the better category. Certainly, it's the most fun one. Especially when it just so happens to be one of golf's OGs that we weren't sure still had it in him. Remember when Tom Watson almost won The Open in 2009? That would be this, but multiplied by 10 because it's the Masters.
Safe to say I've got a new rooting interest today. Go get 'em, Freddie.
This may also be the funniest Masters ever
OK, guys. So two things happened. The first, I'm almost sure you've already seen. At the very least, you've heard this has happened already.
It's amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester peeing in Rae's Creek at Augusta. The man had to go! It happens, man. The best part is that he had no shame about it, though I'm sure the powers that be at the Masters are incensed.
"I'm like, I really need to pee. Didn't really know where to go, and since (Justin Thomas) had an issue on the green, I'm like, I'm just going to sneak here in the river and probably people would not see me that much, and then they clapped for me," he said. I get it!
One thing we should note is that this is the same guy whose coach was forced to leave Augusta earlier this week because he violated the dress code. Make of that what you will!
PLEASE READ THIS: Five headlines we should've written for this story because WOW is this hilarious
That wasn't the only laugh. There was also Max Homa on the par-5 8th hole. Instead of hitting the green he hit a caddie on the backside. "Come on, dude!" This is so funny, you guys.
The caddie walking over and hilariously standing there by the ball as if it's business as usual is a cherry on top. What a moment.
Ant vs. Ja
Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant are arguably the two most fun players in the NBA right now. Nobody catches bodies like these dudes do.
They went head-to-head in an absolute barnburner on Thursday night where the Wolves scored 52 points in the third quarter to create a bit of separation. This game was fun in the "Nobody is playing any defense but who cares?" sort of way. Edwards (44 points) and Morant (36 points) both went off.
What a show this was.
I should also note that Morant did the grenade celebration again. Guys. I can't lie. It's kind of a fun one.
We won't get a playoff series between these two, but man. I wish we could. This would be so fun.
Photo Friday: This is what it's all about
This is Shane Lowry celebrating with his daughter, Iris, on the greens at the Masters. This guy is living the dream. She'll remember that forever.
Quick hits: Paige Bueckers leaning on the past ... Hideki Matsuyama should rage quite ... and more
— Our Meg Hall talked to Paige Bueckers about leaning on some of UConn's past greats to guide her to winning it all this season.
— Here's Andrew Joseph on Hideki Matsuyama's shot hitting the flag and bouncing into the water at the Masters. I might've cried if I were him. Not gonna lie.
— Robert Zeglinski says Nikola Jokic's response to Michael Malone's firing is MVP leadership.
— They're even hating on Jose Luis Ballester's hat. This man couldn't win on Thursday.
— Here's Christian D'Andrea with more studs and sleepers for the NFL draft at running back.
— Here are 17 names in danger at the Masters after Thursday. Things could get sticky, folks.
-Sykes ✌️
