WATCH: Fred Couples holes hybrid shot from 191 yards at par-4 14th on his way to 1-under 71

Few people — if any — love the Masters more than Fred Couples. And few players — if any — are more beloved by the patrons.

Couples, making his 40th Masters appearance, gave them plenty to cheer about Thursday at Augusta National, where the 65-year-old posted a 1-under 71, becoming the second-oldest player in tournament history to shoot under par (Tom Watson, at the time about a month older than Couples, shot 71 in the first round in 2015).

The ultimate highlight came at the par-4 14th, where the 1992 champ holed a 6-hybrid from 191 yards for eagle.

That took Couples from 1 over to 1 under, where he finished after parring out. He began his day on a pretty good note as well, rolling in a putt from off the green at the first and celebrating with the patrons.

“Today is a hell of a round,” said Couples, who hit 12 of 14 fairways but only seven of 18 greens in regulation. “I am exhausted, I’ll tell you what.”

He’ll get a bit of rest with a Friday afternoon tee time. Then he’ll resume his quest to make the cut, just as he did two years ago.

“I’m 65. I don’t feel 70. I don’t feel 50,” he said. “Tomorrow — you know, could blow, rain be difficult. I don’t feel like I’m going to go out there and forget how to play.

“Today, I’m happy as a clam.”