Augusta National's Par 5s hit Irish hopes in first round

“Didn’t birdie two of the par-5s on the back, which was a little disappointing,” Rory McIlroy said.

PAR 5 FOR THE COURSE: Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during second round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Friday, April 12, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

There are a number of keys to securing a green jacket, but one of the critical elements is taking full scoring advantage on Augusta National’s par-5s.

Even in the winds, or maybe moreso, capitalising on the most scoreable holes is paramount. That particular category is where Ireland’s hopes took a hit in the first round.