Masters champion spent more than 7,000 days in debt to Augusta National

Golf legend Fred Couples , a revered figure in the sport and 1992 Masters champion , recently brought closure to an unusual and long-overdue tradition — after unknowingly spending over 7,000 days in symbolic "debt" to Augusta National Golf Club . Couples, who claimed the green jacket 33 years ago with one of the most iconic moments in Masters history — his tee shot on the par-3 12th hole miraculously clinging to the bank above Rae’s Creek — unknowingly neglected a key Masters tradition dating back to the inaugural Masters in 1934. That custom? Donating the driver used to win the tournament to Augusta National’s archives.

“I had no idea,” Couples admitted. “I found out in 2021 when I got an email with some history and noticed my name listed as the only champion who hadn’t donated his club. I couldn’t believe it.



” That revelation came more than 7,665 days after his win — over 21 years of unintentional oversight. Once he realized his mistake, Couples promptly dug into storage to retrieve the prized club: a MacGregor Eye-O-Matic Eye 85 with a persimmon head, the same driver that helped secure his sole major championship victory. “I knew exactly where it was,” he said.

“It’s always been in a safe spot. That driver means the world to me.” Couples personally delivered the club to Augusta National to make things right and officially fulfill the club’s longstanding tradition.

This gesture not only rectified his oversight but also completed Augusta National's collection of clubs from Masters champions. The display includes notable contributions like Tiger Woods' metal driver from his 1997 victory and Larry Mize's sand wedge from his iconic 1987 chip-in. While the situation might seem lighthearted, it highlights just how steeped the Masters is in tradition and how even legends can get caught off guard by its unwritten rules.

Similar cases have emerged over the years — Gary Player and Tom Watson have also found themselves in minor clashes with Augusta etiquette, though none quite as prolonged as Couples’ 29-year delay. As the golfing world reflects on this peculiar anecdote, it’s a reminder that Augusta National is more than just a venue — it’s a shrine to the sport’s traditions. For Couples, a beloved figure known for his smooth swing and easygoing demeanor, this long-running "debt" has finally been paid.

The club has yet to officially comment, but one thing is clear: Fred Couples’ MacGregor driver has found its rightful home at Augusta, nearly three decades later. And with that, the Masters tradition lives on — intact and timeless..