Schwartzel Wins Masters

by terah on 11. Apr, 2011 in Featured

Augusta, Georgia, USA (NEWSTABULOUS) – What an incredible day it was for Charl Schwartzel on the green at the Masters.

He pulled out a 6-iron, chipped the ball off a patch of mashed-down grass, and watched it roll and roll right into the cup for a believed impossible birdie, after spraying his second shot far right of the green.

With not a bad start, the South African native was just getting warmed up. He hammered his tee shot at No. 3 into the center of the fairway, then holed out with a wedge from 114 yards for eagle.

Schwartzel became the first champion in Masters history to end with four straight birdies, the icing on the cake to an amazing final round that’s never been seen before at Augusta National.

Schwartzel said:

“There’s so many roars that go on around Augusta…It echoes through those trees. There’s always a roar. Every single hole you walk down, someone has done something.”

Eight different players had some share of the lead at one point or another. Some players on this list include Tiger Woods, who charged up the board; Adam Scott showed off his long putter; Rookie, Jason Day played extremely well; Geoff Ogilvy ripped off five birdies in a row on the back side; and Luke Donald hit the flag stick with a shot off one leg.

The top six finishers each achieved scores in the 60s, the must-see being a 26-year old carrying on South Africa’s proud gold tradition, winning the 50^th anniversary of countryman, Gary Player, becoming the first international winner at the Masters. Player posted on Twitter:

“I am absolutely delighted for Charl and South Africa. Congratulations and very well done to him. That is how you finish like a champion!”

All challengers for the green jacket fell aside as Schwartzel birdied 15, then 16, then 17 and finally 18. At that point, all he needed was an easy two–putt to win, but that wasn’t enough. Schwartzel said:

“You know, I always thought if there was one (major) that I would win, it would be this one…This is the sort of golf course that suits my eye.”

Schwartzel had played in only one Masters prior to this. He tied for 30^tha year ago. After a few coaching lessons and hole-for-hole tidbits of Augusta National over a charity function lunch from six-time winner, Jack Niklaus, Schwartzel took those tips to green with him on Sunday. Schwartzel explained the conversation:

“I was thinking it’s going to be just a vaguely quick little thing, and he actually took the time to take me through all the 18-holes…The way he used to think around Augusta. The way he used to play it, which flags he used to attack.”

Schwartzel had this one in the bag from the start.

photo: 1golf.eu