Augusta National Masters: Schwartzel wins his first US PGA Tour
AUGUSTA, Georgia: In an aggressive display of golf, Charl Schawartzel of South Africa birdied the last four holes at Augusta to clinch his first US PGA Tour by winning Augusta National Masters by two strokes here Sunday.
Charl Schawartzel. Courtesy: Reuters
It was an afternoon full of classy display of golf by the participants as Schwartzel came from nowhere into the contention as he began the final round four strokes behind the leader but showed some great control over his shots as he put a 20-footer on the 18th green to finish with the lowest score of the day of six-under-par 66.
Tiger Woods. Courtesy: Getty Images
Schwartzel, 26, looked at the heavens and lifted his both hands in the air to celebrate his victory which came with a score of 14-under total of 274 to get him his first US PGA Tour title.
The 26-year-old golfer became only the third South African to win the Masters as Gary Player did it in 1961, 1974, and 1978 while Trevor Immelman won it in 2008.
Rory McIlroy. Courtesy: Reuters
Talking about his first US PGA Tour title in his only second appearance, Schwartzel told media persons, “Walking up 18 was such a special feeling. I only had a one-shot lead, so you don’t want to get too excited about it. You’ve still got to win the golf tournament. But it just really felt good. It was such an exciting day with so many roars. The atmosphere out there was just incredible. A phenomenal day!”
Tiger Woods, the four-time Masters champion, had to contend with a tie for fourth with a closing of 67. He along with Geoff Ogilvy of Australia and Luke Donald of England finished at 10 under.
Aussies were all in the top five but still failed to win it for the Kangaroos for the first time as Adam Scott and Jason Day finished at second with scores of 67 and 68 respectively at 12 under.
It was Rory McIlroy of Britain everywhere until the final day which happened to be a nightmarish one for the British as he finished with 80 for a four-under total of 284.
McIlroy couldn’t hide his disappointment while interacting with the media as he said, “I’m very disappointed. I was leading this golf tournament with nine holes to go and I just unravelled. It’s going to be hard to take for a few days, but I’ll get over it.”
Tiger Woods said, “I got off to a good start on the front nine and on the back nine didn’t putt well. This entire weekend I hit it good, so that was a nice feeling.”
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