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Augusta par-fives the key to complete grand slam, says Rory McIlroy

Big-hitter says he may have to rein himself in

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Rory McIlroy and his caddie practise in the rain. Photo: AFP
Rory McIlroy is targeting the Augusta National par-fives at the Masters this week as a key to joining golf’s elite club of career grand slam champions.

McIlroy, 25, would not predict his chances of reaching Jack Nicklaus’s record 18 majors, or of matching boyhood idol Tiger Woods’s mark of 14, but knows what he needs to do to wear the green jacket.

"If you look at the previous winners here, they’ve all played the par-fives well," four-times major winner McIlroy said on Tuesday.

The Northern Irishman compared his par-five results with 2014 champion Bubba Watson.

"Bubba last year played them at eight under par. I played them at even par and he beat me by eight shots," noted McIlroy, who is 21-under on par-fives in 22 Masters rounds.

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