MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 8, 2026

Fred Couples

Jackson Herrington

Quick Quotes

Q. Freddy, just talk about this afternoon of getting to enjoy with Jackson. I know what he gets out of playing and learning from you. What do you get out of spending the afternoon with a youngster?

FRED COUPLES: Well, I remember how far all these guys hit it and he's one of them that joined that crowd. Watched him play last year in the U.S. Am. Know all about it.

In my life I have a lot of younger friends that I try and help in certain different ways, just because I like the way they play, and he's a great player.

Q. Jackson, I know it's going to be coming up really soon tomorrow morning, but your whole experience, this is the finality before you get started with the tournament. What does this mean to you?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: It means everything. This is a dream come true. Something I dreamed of. When I'm on the putting green when I'm a kid I'm saying this is to win the Masters, so to be here with guys like this.

FRED COUPLES: I was there, too.

JACKSON HERRINGTON: With guys like this? I'm 19. But to be here with guys like this and for them to be so kind to me and take my under their wing is pretty special.

Q. Word is you may have handed a little bit of merch from the Jackson Herrington Collection?

FRED COUPLES: It's going on our fridge. I sure as hell do. But let me finish with him. So tomorrow is a big day. I would never even imagine at 19. I played here when I was 22 and it's very exciting.

When you play like him, I don't want him to be really nervous except teeing off. And there are nerve wracking shots, but as good as he plays, he gets through it. It's not like, oh, my God, this is over my head. They all play. Again, I don't remember when I was 22, but I do know one thing, I got paired with Tom Watson in the third round and I shot 80.

And the reason I did is i didn't play well, but I couldn't keep up with him. If I could say anything, tomorrow play at your own pace. It's a good flow. He has a great pairing. I know them very well. He has a great pairing.

Q. What was the favorite part of your collegiate career?

FRED COUPLES: I roomed with Jim Nantz and Blaine McCallister who won five times, and we had a very old coach who before we played a lot of tournaments I'd have to go get a haircut and if I didn't go, I wouldn't be able to play.

People ask me why I went there. My mom is the one who loved Coach Williams. So that's why I went to Houston. There's no other reason. Jim Nantz and I have been lifelong friends. He's got his guy, Freezer here with him, and he's losing all of his women basketball team. Can we say that? That I found out.

So he's going to send me a text and tell me why. But Jim Nantz, to go to college with him was amazing. But school, the golf was incredible. It's way different now. These guys, they're so much better. I was a really good player and as it turns out, I've had an unbelievable career. But they're way better than we were. I know Jack Nicklaus is the best and Tiger Woods, but Scottie Scheffler and all the other guys and the college kids, they're really, really talented. And for me it's fun to see.