THE MASTERS RELATED STORIES The Masters Home Page The Masters Preview Round 4: Trevor Immelman seals three shot Masters victory Round 4: Upsetting collapse for Brandt Snedeker Round 4: Amen Corner takes away Steve Flesch's challenge Round 4: Tiger Woods slam bid ends at the first hurdle Round 4: Phil Mickelson rues putting mistakes Round 4: Strong finish for Miguel Angel Jimenez Round 3: Immelman leads heading into Sunday Round 3: Practice paying off for Brandt Snedeker Round 3: Zach Johnson still in with a chance Round 3: Phil Mickelson falls out of contention Round 3: Tiger poised to make Sunday charge Round 2: Immelman leads in to the weekend Round 2: Couples misses Masters cut for first time Round 2: Tiger struggles but still in contention Round 2: Risk pays off for Brandt Snedeker Round 2: Phil Mickelson well placed at five under Round 1: Rose & Immelman lead as Tiger toils Round 1: Players sets record with a "three over" Round 1: Couples struggles in pursuit of cut record Round 1: On-song Singh pursues his dream Round 1: Early flowering Rose must keep blooming Round 1: 'Fun' Augusta outing pays off for trio Round 1: Johnson pleased to be down to business Round 1: Tiger Woods not troubled by slow start Course Guide: Augusta National The Masters Scores The Masters Latest Odds and Betting Pairings and tee-times Players forecasting high-scoring championship Grand Slam talk continues at Augusta Gary Player to make Masters history India's Singh pursues a childhood dream Sabbatini confronts Par 3 curse - Woods sits it out Augusta announces initiatives to grow the game Johnson picks surf and turf for Champions dinner Johnson leaves Grand Slam talk to 'scary' Tiger Rose seeks to blossom among the azaleas Mickelson takes two leaves out of Tiger's book Harrington feeling more relaxed at Augusta Scott aiming at first Aussie Green Jacket Ernie Els drops coach Leadbetter for Harmon Tiger insists that Grand Slam is possible Masters build up begins at a slow Augusta Rivals think Tiger may be unstoppable Zach Johnson's putter back in the spotlight Monty's manager calms Augusta invitation debate Montgomerie hits out at Masters invitation policy Three Asians receive Masters invites Stenson taking break to prepare for Masters New global strategy for Masters More changes announced for Masters Masters field will remain small 2008 Masters field taking shape 2008 PGA Tour Schedule NEWS & TOUR TOP STORIES Nick Faldo receives his Knighthood LPGA wins Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge Mickelson raises expectations for 2010 Race to Dubai nears its conclusion Thousands follow Tiger Woods practice round Fans warned about fake Ryder Cup tickets COMPETITIONS, GIFTS AND OFFERS WIN a 3 night sunshine break in Spain! WIN 18 holes, dinner, B&B at Oulton Hall WIN the Official Open 2011 DVD WIN The Golf Miscellany Open Champion Tom Watson's DVD Get the Open Fairways card for just £59!

Couples struggles in pursuit of cut record

Former winner Fred Couples faced an uphill task to make a record 24th consecutive cut at the U.S. Masters after battling to a four-over-par 76 in Thursday's opening round.

The 48-year-old American, struggling with his shot selection, mixed six bogeys with two birdies on an Augusta National layout playing extra long after being softened by recent rain.

"I misclubbed a lot of shots, and they were hard shots," Couples told reporters. "I didn't hit very good ones and I didn't make many putts. When you do that, it kind of adds up to 76 which is very mediocre.

"I hit the ball well," added the former world number one, who covered the front nine in four-over 40. "It wasn't like I embarrassed myself. You've just got to make birdies.

"If I could have made a couple more birdies and hung in there, maybe I wouldn't have tried a couple of shots where I put myself in horrible places by trying to get a little greedy.

"If you're even par or even three or four over, you make a couple of bad swings and the next thing you know you get to a spot where there's no way you can get out of it."

Masters champion in 1992, Couples made his 23rd consecutive cut at Augusta National last year to join South African Gary Player in the record books.

Three-times winner Player made a record 23 successive cuts at the Masters from 1959 to 1982. Player skipped the tournament in 1973.

Click here for full leaderboard

April 10, 2008