South Africa's Charl Schwartzel emerged from the pack to clinch his maiden major title on an absorbing final day at the 75th Masters.
Charl Schwartzel met Jack Nicklaus for the first time when the two played in the Els For Autism golf tournament in South Florida early last year, an introduction brokered by the Sunshine Tour's Johann Rupert. Schwartzel made polite conversation about hunting, which he knew was one of Jack's interests, until Rupert suggested they discuss how to play Augusta National, which Schwartzel would see for the first time in April 2010. Jack talked; Charl listened.
The 26-year-old fired a closing 66, including birdies on the last four holes, to reach 14 under and beat Australian duo Jason Day (68) and Adam Scott (67) by two shots at Augusta. American Tiger Woods (67), England's Luke Donald (69), and another Australian Geoff Ogilvy (67) tied for fourth at 10 under with Argentina's 2009 champion Angel Cabrera (71) nine under.
"It was a very disappointing day obviously. Hopefully I will learn from it and come back stronger. It was my first experience of leading a major in the final round and things went a bit pear-shaped.
"Playing with KJ Choi - he plays the same game I do. That kept me calm - or as calm as I could. It was a phenomenal day. Adam Scott was making birdies and Jason Day was and I needed to do something. My dad played such a big part in my golf and without him I wouldn't have the golf swing or be where I am now if it wasn't for him."Hopefully I'll handle it better next time I get in that position. It will be pretty tough for me the next few days but I'll get over it. Shooing a bad score on the last round of a golf tournament is not as bad as a lot of things that happen to other people. It'll take a bit of time but I will get over it and I'll be stronger for it."
Honma beres mg802 iron set is derived of an "open space" structure to help eliminate the high-pitched metallic sound. The design is made to suit every type of golfer from average to better players, with a focus on shot shaping and distance control.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, 21, who led for three rounds, collapsed on the back nine and carded a round of 80 to end four under. "It's such a special feeling I don't even know where to start," said Schwartzel, who learned the game from his dad, a former club pro who now sells eggs and corn from his farm in South Africa. "This morning — you know I'd never been in that situation before in a major — I felt surprisingly calm."
Schwartzel was the one making all the pressure putts Sunday. As he sat before the media, he thought back to that fortuitous meeting with Nicklaus. "I'm just thinking it's going to be just a vaguely quick little thing, and he actually took the time to take me through all 18 holes, the way he used to think around Augusta and the way he used to play it, which flags he used to attack," Schwartzel said. And he's got the green jacket to prove it.
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