AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Fred Couples withdrew from the Masters on Monday due to an ongoing "acute back problems," the tournament announced.
Couples, 56, who won the Masters in 1992, had missed the tournament just twice -- in 1987 and 1994 -- dating to his first appearance in 1983. Couples had made 28 cuts in 31 appearances and had performed particularly well since turning 50, with five top-20 finishes including sixth place in 2010.
With Couples' withdrawal, the field stands at 89 players, the lowest number to start a Masters since the same number began play in 2002.