Defending champion Charl Schwartzel will this week lead an all-star cast to Augusta National for the first Major of the 2012 season, the Masters Tournament.
Schwartzel is one of 18 Masters Tournament winners in the 97-man field, but few victories will have been accomplished in the manner of the South African’s last year, when he birdied each of the last four holes to prevail by two strokes from the Australian duo of Jason Day and Adam Scott.
For much of the 75th staging of the Masters Tournament, Rory McIlroy had appeared on course to secure his first Green Jacket, having produced a thrilling exhibition of golf over the first three days to carry a seemingly unassailable four-shot lead into the final round.
But after his challenge faltered on a dramatic day, it was Schwartzel who emerged from the pack with a late charge which, in the circumstances, was nothing short of stunning.
The 27 year old from Johannesburg will now attempt to become the first player to win back to back Masters Tournament titles since Tiger Woods achieved the feat in 2002.
Schwartzel said: “I can’t wait to get back. Augusta’s a special place for anyone who plays golf, but it will be extra special to go back there as defending champion. Winning the Masters last year was the highlight of my career, especially as I birdied the last four holes to win.
“I took the Green Jacket with me almost everywhere I went last year, so I got a lot of use out of it! If I can add another one to my collection, I’ll be a very happy man. Most people aren’t lucky enough to get one, so to win twice would be a dream come true. It’s going to be a great week no matter what happens, and I feel like my game is getting there so I’m hopeful of playing well.”
Schwartzel is one of 38 European Tour Members in a star-studded field which contains 32 Major Champions including, of course, McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman, who was recently deposed at the summit of the Official World Golf Ranking by England’s Luke Donald, swiftly banished the disappointment of missing out on his maiden Major at last year’s Masters Tournament by cruising to victory at the US Open two months later.
Having finished inside the top five in every European Tour event he has competed in so far this term, McIlroy currently leads The Race to Dubai with season’s earnings of €1,324,366, and the 22 year old from Holywood is hopeful of continuing his sensational run of form – and laying last year’s demons to rest – in Georgia this week.
Meanwhile, Donald’s enviable record at Augusta National – he has finished inside the top ten three times in seven starts at the Masters Tournament – gives the World Number One confidence that he can break his Major duck this week.
After he followed up a tied sixth finish at the WGC-Cadillac Championship with victory at the Transitions Championship on the US PGA Tour, Donald decided to take time out to prepare fully for the first Major test of the season.
His compatriot and Lee Westwood warmed up for his 13th tilt at the Masters Tournament with an appearance at the Shell Houston Open on the US PGA Tour, finishing in tied 21st place.
The World Number Three came close to securing the Major title his career so richly deserves at the 2010 Masters Tournament, where his bid was thwarted by an inspired final day performance from American Phil Mickelson.
Having worked tirelessly on his short game, Westwood feels his touch around the greens is now up to the standard needed to conquer Augusta National, where danger seemingly lurks at every turn – especially on the fearsome stretch of holes after the turn commonly known as ‘Amen Corner’.
Donald’s charge last year was halted by a double bogey at the par three 12th hole, where his tee shot found a watery grave, but his late rally to finish in a tie for fourth place was indicative of the mental strength which has been a hallmark of his ascent to the top of the World Ranking.
Another former World Number One, Germany’s Martin Kaymer, will consult his mentor Bernhard Langer this week in a bid to make the cut for the first time in five trips to Augusta National.
On Tuesday, Kaymer will play the first of two practice rounds alongside Langer, who became the first German to triumph at the Masters Tournament when he prevailed by two shots in 1985 – one year after Kaymer was born.
Kaymer is one of six European Tour Members heading to Georgia inside the top ten of the World Ranking, with the top four joined by World Number Eight Schwartzel and World Number Nine Justin Rose of England, winner of the WGC-Cadillac Championship on his last European Tour start.
With a further 15 Members currently inside the top 50, The European Tour will be taking a formidable line-up to Augusta National for what seems set to be another fascinating chapter in the rich and varied history of the Masters Tournament.
