Charl Schwartzel is bidding to fill a gap in his CV with victory in this week’s South African Open Championship hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni.
The former Masters Tournament champion led going into the final round at Glendower Golf Club 12 months ago, only to let victory slip through his grasp with a closing round of 71 which included a brace of double bogeys.
His tied fourth finish behind Dane Morten Ørum Madsen was the fifth time Schwartzel has finished in the top five in his national Open, but the 30 year old is hoping to get the proverbial monkey off his back by claiming a tenth European Tour title – and sixth on home soil – in Gauteng this week.
He said: “Last year I was up there for a while in the last round, and I’ve come close a few times. It’s one of those tournaments that I definitely want to win before my career ends.
“It’s great to be back at Glendower, and I think the golf course is set up even better than last year. I like the rough, it’s up. That gives a guy playing well an advantage. Last year, with the rough down, it was a bit free-for-all.
“The golf course is in fantastic condition and the greens are great. I’m sure that the guy who plays the best this week will win.”
Schwartzel’s victory bid has been hampered by a toe injury he sustained at the weekend, but the Johannesburg native is hoping that old adage of “beware the wounded golfer” comes true this week.
He said: “I’ve had a bit of a setback this week with my toe, it’s a little tender and I’m struggling to go fully onto my left side, but at least I have a day to rest it tomorrow.
“I’m definitely going to give it everything I’ve got to tee off at least. I played pretty decent today considering my toe, but it was sore.
“I’ve had a double dose of painkillers and some anti-inflammatories. It’s very tender and a bit sore, but to walk and not to swing. If it was bothering me a lot on the golf swing, I don’t think I’d even consider playing. But at least it seems like I can swing the club without too much pain.”
After a spell in the doldrums, Schwartzel was encouraged by his ball-striking in the Alfred Dunhill Championship before Christmas.
He said: “My game is slowly coming back. I actually thought I started to hit the ball really well at the Dunhill three weeks ago. Today was pretty good, too. It looks like I’m definitely going back to where I can make a swing and the ball goes where I want it to.
“If you start making a few putts then it builds confidence, and I think that’s when everything kicks into gear.”
