Not many holes at Augusta National Golf Club are considered favorable for birdies, but No. 2 is a long exception.

The 575-yard par 5 historically plays as one of the easier holes on the course, and it has quickly trended that way again this year.

The second hole produced 40 birdies Thursday, one fewer than the highest amount, at No. 13. There were 48 pars and only nine bogeys on the hole in the first round of the Masters Tournament.

“It’s one of the par-5s where it’s a good opportunity for a birdie if you get your tee shot down there,” said Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, who birdied the hole Thursday.

Known as Pink Dogwood, No. 2 is statistically the longest hole at Augusta National, but the severe downhill second shot makes it play shorter. Golfers will use long irons, hybrids or fairway woods to reach the bottom of the hill in two shots. However, even a lay-up leaves only a chip onto the green.

The green is guarded by two front bunkers. Those going for the green in two can catch one of them if they don’t hit their approach shot far enough.

2013 Masters champion Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy both attempted to reach the green in two Thursday, and both ended up in the front left bunker, resulting in pars.

In comparison, Patrick Reed played his second shot short of the right bunker, and he chipped up to make birdie.

“The second shot, anything from the middle to the right side gives you a good opportunity for the flag,” Schwartzel said. “Once you start going to the left side, you’re making life difficult.”

The hole has historically played as the third-easiest hole on the course at 4.79. The lowest average score for the field came in 1990 at 4.619.

Louis Oosthuizen, 2012 Masters runner-up, made history that year by becoming the first golfer to card a double eagle on the second hole.

Oosthuizen used a 4-iron from 253 yards on his second shot. The ball chased onto the green, rolled right and found the cup for the fourth double eagle in tournament history.

“I used to be pretty bad before the two on that hole,” Oosthuizen said. “After the two, I’ve been making a few more birdies there, so I just needed that two to get me going.”

Two golfers have reached double digits on the hole in Masters history. Sam Byrd carded 10 on the hole in 1948, and David Duval did the same in 2006.

No. 2 is one of the better holes to view the bright colors of Augusta National. The left side of the dogleg has a wooded area separating it from No. 8. The area contains azaleas and dogwoods, which patrons can enjoy as they walk the length of the hole.