Fred Couples in contention is a Masters rite of spring

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Masters prides itself on its timeless fixtures that come back into prime view every April: Magnolia Lane, Butler Cabin, the veranda on the stately southern clubhouse, Fred Couples . . .

Couples is the youngest of that group, but he is becoming just as much of a landmark. Every year, he comes back looking the same, with that same smooth swing, the same cool persona and he produces the same result. In his 50s, he shoots in the 60s or low 70s and finds his way into contention.

Then he gets asked the same question: What would he do if he won another green jacket at his advanced age? "Yeah, I would quit. I'm going to quit when I win this thing, I swear to God I'm going to retire."

What would the Masters be without Couples? The 53-year-old added zest to the 77th edition of the tournament Friday, shooting 1-under-par 71 and finishing the day tied with Marc Leishman for second at 5 under, one behind Jason Day.

"He's just an amazing guy," said Day, who will play Saturday with the man who captained the U.S. team that beat his World squad at the 2011 Presidents Cup. "I don't know how old he is, but he can still move the ball."

Couples can still drive the ball out there with other big hitters. "If I can drive it close to those long hitters, and if they are hitting 9-irons and I'm hitting an 8, then I'm still right there," said the 1992 winner.

He's still Freddie, the guy who other guys still consider cool. "I'm cool, but I can be a jerk, too," he said, invoking a song title that people in his age bracket can appreciate, "So I'm a cool jerk."