Do you have to play the par-5s well to win a Masters?

Andy Roberts's picture
Thu, 30 Mar 2017

Do you have to play the par-5s well to win a Masters?

YOU NEED TO PLAY THE PAR-5 HOLES WELL...

The par-5 holes at Augusta (two, eight, 13 and 15) are the four easiest holes on the course and making the most of their scoring potential is often spoken about as one of the keys to winning the Masters.

Garcia played them in 7-under last year and finished tied with Justin Rose on 9-under after 72 holes, before going on to win the playoff. 

The par-5s did not do much for 2016 winner Willett though, who played them in just level par during his 5-under winning total. The Englishman parred the second every day, played the eighth in one under with a birdie on Sunday, played the 13th in level par with a bogey on Saturday and birdie on Sunday, and played the 15th in one-over with a bogey on Saturday. 

Do you have to play the par-5s well to win a Masters?

When Bubba Watson won his second Green Jacket in 2014, he was eight under for the week on the par fives with six birdies and an eagle. 

McIlroy, on the other hand, only played the par fives in level par for the week with five birdies and five bogeys and finished tied eighth, eight shots behind Watson.

Do you have to play the par-5s well to win a Masters?

"I can be a little over-aggressive," said McIlroy. "I had a 9-iron in my hand on 13, and I think I had a nine-iron in my hand on 15, and I walked away with two sixes. You turn those into two fours and all of a sudden I finish third.

"That's been something I've been thinking about, getting the eagle a little bit too much, and trying to get two shots up on the field instead of settling for one and still realising that's still a good result."