Charl Schwartzel 2011 Masters Champion
Charl Schwartzel of South Africa completed a historic clean sweep of Major Championships for European Tour Members as he won The Masters Tournament after a pulsating final round.
Exactly 50 years after Gary Player became the first overseas player to win at Augusta National, South African Schwartzel carded a six under par 66 to win by two from Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day.
On a day where the lead changed hands no fewer than 15 times, Schwartzel may well reflect on chip-ins at the first for birdie and third for eagle as pivotal to his success.
Facts
• For the first time in history, European Tour members now hold all four of the Major Championships. They are: Charl Schwartzel (Masters Tournament), Graeme McDowell (US Open Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (The Open Championship) and Martin Kaymer (US PGA Championship).
• Becomes the third South African to win the Masters Tournament, following Gary Player (1961, 74 and 78) and Trevor Immelman (2008).
• His first Major Championship victory in his 17th Major Championship appearance.
• His seventh European Tour International Schedule victory in his 204th European Tour event.
• This victory beats his previous best Major Championship finish of tied 14th at the 2010 Open Championship.
• Victory comes in his second Masters Tournament appearance. This victory beats his previous best performance of tied 30th in 2010.
• Horton Smith (1934), Gene Sarazen (1935) and Fuzzy Zoeller (1979) all won the Masters Tournament on their debut. Charl Schwartzel joins Jimmy Demaret (winner in 1940) and Herman Keiser (winner in 1946), in the group of players to win the Masters Tournament on their second appearance.
• His four shot final round winning comeback is the largest at the Masters Tournament since Sir Nick Faldo overcame a six shot deficit to defeat Greg Norman in 1996.
• Becomes the 24th player to win the Masters Tournament after not leading going into the final round.
• His four shot final round winning comeback is the largest on the 2011 European Tour to date, beating the two shots by S S P Chowrasia (Avantha Masters) and Nick Watney (WGC – Cadillac Championship).
