Schwartzel waltzes to big win
Charl Schwartzel cruised to an eight shot win at the Tshwane Open in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The South African carded a sizzling seven under 63 in the final round at the Pretoria Country Club, to leave him on 16 under for the event, eight strokes ahead of Jeff Winther from Denmark, who claimed second by himself.
The former Masters champion started Sunday with a slender one shot lead, but doubled that after a birdie on the second.
Despite his bogey at the third, back to back birdies on the sixth and seventh followed by a superb eagle on the ninth saw him surge out to a four stroke lead.
Schwartzel didn't let up on the final stretch, rolling in four more birdies. His sensational approach shot on the 18th left him with a five footer for his final birdie, which he rolled in to earn his eleventh win on the European Tour.
"It's felt like I’ve been playing really, really well this week," the 31-year-old told the European Tour website.
"It's just frustrating when you don’t putt very well and you don't convert, and to make the putts when it counts, that's even more satisfying.
"Everything is sort of falling into place. I've worked really hard leading up to this and it's just been feeling good, so everything has got some really good signs, so I'm excited."
The South African's dominated the leaderboard, with Anthony Michael claiming third on six under and the local trio of Richard Sterne, Dean Burmester, Justin Walters all tied for fourth at five under.
Latest
-
NewsSergio Garcia feeling rested and ready for Ryder Cup after wild card ‘gamble’
The Spaniard has won 25.5 points at the Ryder Cup.
-
NewsSweden’s Kristoffer Broberg holds a narrow halfway lead in the Dutch Open
Nine birdies helped him to a score of 64 in the second round at Bernardus Golf.
-
NewsAny rest for Rory and will practice make US perfect? – Ryder Cup talking points
The United States will be hoping to make the most of home advantage at Whistling Straits.
-
NewsNew-look USA aiming to reclaim Ryder Cup against experienced-packed Europe
Europe are the holders and have won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups, but United States boast eight of the world’s top 10 players and home advantage.
-
NewsA statistical look at the Ryder Cup as Europe seek to continue recent dominance
Europe have won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups but USA have claimed victory in 26 of the 42 editions overall, with two ties.
-
NewsNiall Kearney shoots seven-under 65 to take early lead at Dutch Open
Denmark’s Martin Simonsen and Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer sit in second.
-
NewsHenrik Stenson named as Team Europe’s fifth vice-captain for Ryder Cup
The former Open champion joins fellow Swede Robert Karlsson, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell in Padraig Harrington’s backroom staff.
-
NewsNo bias with Shane Lowry Ryder Cup selection, says Padraig Harrington
The European captain insists his friendship with his fellow Irishman did Lowry no favours.
-
NewsPadraig Harrington admits picking his Ryder Cup wild cards was a tough task
Justin Rose missed out as Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Shane Lowry were selected.
-
NewsPadraig Harrington admits leaving out Justin Rose was ‘incredibly difficult’
Rose eagled the 18th at Wentworth in a final round of 65 to finish in a tie for sixth, but that was not enough.