Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples thrill crowds but miss Masters cut - ESPN

AUGUSTA, Ga. — It was 32 years ago that Fred Couples slipped a green jacket onto Germany's Bernhard Langer for a second time.

On Friday at Augusta National Golf Club, the aging former champions gave patrons plenty to cheer for while both battled to make the cut.

Langer, 67, previously had announced that his 41st start in the Masters would be his final one. After making three birdies and one bogey in his first 12 holes of the second round, he seemed to be in good shape to stick around for two more days.

But then Langer's third shot on the par-5 15th hole spun off the green and into the water. He made double-bogey and was 2 over, which was the projected cut line. After making consecutive pars on Nos. 16 and 17, Langer's approach was left of the final hole. His ball stopped among the patrons. He chipped to about 10 feet and had to make a par putt to make the cut.

Langer's ball slid past the hole on the high side. He missed the cut by one stroke at 3 over.

Patrons encircling the 18th green gave Langer a standing ovation as he walked toward the clubhouse with his wife, Vikki Carol, to sign his scorecard one last time. His youngest son, Jason, was his caddie this week.

«It was a very special last two days for me, even starting off walking to the first tee yesterday, I got a standing ovation and the people really, you know, applauded,» said Langer, who would have become the oldest player ever to make a cut in a major. «I almost teared up and almost started crying right there, and I said, 'Come on, get it together, you've got some golf to play.' It kind of kept going. There were lots of standing ovations throughout the golf course in various spots.»

Langer said he wondered once or twice this week whether he should continue