Masters Champion Spent 29 Years in Debt to Augusta National: ‘I Had No Clue’

The Augusta National’s Masters is an event steeped in traditions that set it apart from any other event. Before the beginning of the event, the series of traditions kick off with the Champions Dinner on Tuesday. Since 1952, Ben Hogan began the dinner where the former Masters, all clothed in their green jackets, sit around the rectangular table, enjoying the dinner menu selected by the reigning Masters Champion. But the long line of traditions simply doesn’t end here. Have you ever seen how no one posts Instagram stories or tweets about the happenings of the event right away? That’s because the patrons have to submit their phones (or not bring them) through the tournament days. Sure, an inconvenient discomfort in today’s date, but it allows everyone to be further connected with the sport of legacy.

Then there’s the personal invitations, with RSVPs expected, mailed out to every previous winner and new qualifiers. The azaleas, tailored dresses, the skipping at hole 16, or even the green jackets that the champion is allowed to keep until the next one is crowned but would need to store at the Augusta National and only allowed to wear when representing the club or in an official event. And yes, if you are wondering, many have skipped these traditions, unintentionally. But some stories are simply hilarious.

One of the many is what has been followed since the very first winner, Horton Smith, in 1934. Since then, the Masters champions are asked to donate their driver to Augusta National as a keepsake. The only exception to this tradition is Gene Sarazen. Instead of giving his driver, he donated the golf ball used for his famous albatross on the 15th hole in 1935. But who knew, we would stumble upon one more name who unknowingly breached this tradition.

Fred Couples’ 1992 Masters win was iconic and had its moments. Take his tee shot at the 12th hole, for example. The ball miraculously stayed dry on the steep bank, preventing it from falling into Rae’s Creek. It eventually prevented a disaster and remains one of the key roles in his victory. After re-living those cherished moments for years, how would he react upon realizing he had missed out on fulfilling a long-held tradition?

In Golf Digest’s latest issue, they explored myths around Augusta. One of them mentioned the story of Couples’ driver. The funniest twist? He had no idea there was some tradition like that. According to Nine, back in 2021, Fred was randomly reading an email about Augusta and the great things about it. To his surprise, he also saw his name as the champion who did not give his club to Augusta National.

“I had no clue,” Couples said in April 2021. He hilariously talked about it, saying, “To be honest with you, just seven or eight days ago, 10 days ago, there was an email out all about Augusta, the great things about it, and one of the things was my name was mentioned as the only guy to not give a club to Augusta National.” 

The 1992 Masters champion eventually found the MacGregor Eye 85 driver, having a persimmon wood head, which he had used that year. Later, he took it to the Augusta National and finally completed the tradition after 7665 days.

He was sure that it was the driver he used to claim the green jacket. Because he kept it in a bin with a gold-plated Ping putter that the company gave to him after he won the Masters. “I do know that was my driver because I had it in a very safe place,” Couples said. However, now he has his own footnote in Augusta’s history: “Maybe that would be a good thing to be known for — the only guy to not give a club.”

It was amusing and unusual for Couples to overlook this. But there are plenty of other things about the 65-year-old that make him truly stand out. And he was not the only one to break an Augusta tradition.

When golf legends borrowed and repaired iconic traditions

In 1962, Gary Player, the first international Masters champ, unknowingly broke Augusta National’s strict green jacket rule by taking his victory jacket home to South Africa. When officials realized it was missing, they contacted him, and Player cheekily replied, “If you want it, come and fetch it!” The two sides struck a deal—Player would return the jacket before the 1963 tournament and keep it covered. Since then, he’s kept it as a prized possession, now proudly displayed in his personal museum.

In 1982, on a different course at The Open Championship, Tom Watson was mistakenly handed the original Claret Jug from 1873. While at home, Watson accidentally knocked the historic trophy off a table, causing a dent. Not one to back down, he took it to his basement workshop, clamped it in a vise, and bent it back into shape, saving the trophy—and his legacy—one fix at a time.

So, Fred Couples isn’t the only golfer unintentionally highlighting golf courses’ commitment to preserving the integrity and traditions of the sport. Do you think their actions are justified? Share your thoughts in the comments below.