Former Masters champion rues 'ugly' scenes as tales of Augusta woe multiply on toughest day EVER

Ex-Masters champ Fred Couples opened up on his 'hellish' Augusta experience after what could be his most challenging tournament yet. The icon jovially strolled up the fairways under the glowing sun, with the immaculate greens stretching out before him; despite this veneer of serenity, he was battling agonising back pain.

Couples, aged 64, struggled through extreme discomfort to complete rounds of 80-76, leading to speculation that this could be the end for the seasoned golfer and 1992 Masters victor.

"No, no, and I'm planning on being healthy and making the cut and telling Fred (Ridley, chairman of Augusta National) I'm coming back the next year, too," Couples assured. "This was really ugly. Yesterday there were several times I should have not played, but I thought I could help these guys that I was playing with (Adam Hadwin and amateur Stewart Hagestad) a little bit even though they're out-driving me by 50 yards with the wind, so I didn't want to quit."

His main issue, according to Couples himself, is the ongoing problem with his back. This persistent ailment previously led to his withdrawal from his two most recent planned PGA TOUR Champions starts, namely the Hoag Classic Newport Beach and The Galleria Classic. The level of pain he experienced this week was so severe, he confessed, that he feared hitting an iron due to the risk of further agony.

"No, my back is shot," he admitted. "The longer the club, I'm OK. I didn't have any speed. I was driving it 260, but most of them were going straight. It was fun. It was really difficult. If I'd have had more woods, honestly, yesterday, I probably could have shot 75, but I didn't know I kind of downplayed how bad I felt."

"I should have had 11-wood to hit 140 yards," he