Charl Schwartzel finally shows his potential!

[deasy55]

He has been an amazing prospect for years and now finally the world will realise this. I'm delighted for him. Gutted for Rory though....he will still have multiple majors under his belt before he turns 25 though (IMO)

[Clambake]

Last night after the tournament I pulled out the current issue of Golf magazine that I received last week but hadn't yet started to read.  What a surprise but to find an article on Schwartzel's swing, saying that he had a lot of talent and potential and we should expect to see great things from him.    Very prophetic - apparently Nostradamus is on the writing staff at Golf magazine.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by Clambake

Last night after the tournament I pulled out the current issue of Golf magazine that I received last week but hadn't yet started to read.  What a surprise but to find an article on Schwartzel's swing, saying that he had a lot of talent and potential and we should expect to see great things from him.    Very prophetic - apparently Nostradamus is on the writing staff at Golf magazine.

Anyone who has a global view of golf, and looks beyond the likes of Steve Stricker and Bubba Watson when it comes to choosing major contenders had Schwartzel on their radar years ago. :-)

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Anyone who has a global view of golf, and looks beyond the likes of Steve Stricker and Bubba Watson when it comes to choosing major contenders had Schwartzel on their radar years ago. :-)

Not too many years ago, but yeah, even NBC was raving about him during last year's Florida swing - making comparisons to Ernie Els' game and predicting great things for him. I think the TV Networks do what they can in the time they have, but the magazines, which have all the time in the world, consistently drop the ball.  I mean, CBS was aplogizing yesterday for not having enough cameras and people to show us Geoff Ogilvy's entire birdie run. Can you imagine Gold Digest saying something like that? I sure can't.

[mattttt25]

I'll be honest... never heard of him before this weekend.

[inthehole]

me either

[michaeljames92]

He started last season on the European tour with a couple of wins and then went off the radar for a while. He won at the start of this year again going through some swing changes and shot a final round 67 hitting sideways into Jumanji and getting up and down from ridiculous spots. I think he's starting to hit more draws now because he used to hit a lot of high cuts, and its hard to win a t Augusta unless you can hit draws.

[jclifton]

While watching the Masters yesterday I could not believe how many putts did not drop for Charl before things really came together for him. I'm talking putts that looke like they were in the cup!

He could have had a runaway score!

Anyway, what a final day!

[Chas]

I resemble that remark.

Quote:

Anyone who has a global view of golf, and looks beyond the likes of Steve Stricker and Bubba Watson when it comes to choosing major contenders had Schwartzel on their radar years ago. :-)

[Stretch]

It really depends which tour you primarily follow. Schwartzel had already won six times on the European Tour, but if your main focus is the PGA then he's still not really going to ring many bells. Nothing particularly wrong with that and it's one of the things that makes the majors special -- everyone competing together on one big stage.

Anyway, Schwartzel is a good golfer and a good guy. He is very well liked on both the SA tour (where he has really dominated) and the main Euro tour. The adjectives most often used to describe his personality off the course would be "humble", "unassuming", "polite" etc. but he's a tough competitor on it. He's a Vijay-style hard worker who has always had a solid swing and long game -- but he's earned his touch around and on the greens. Plays within himself, rarely misses cuts (made 20 of 24 on the PGA tour since 2008) and, if he gets in contention, needs to be beaten because he generally won't fade away. Not going too far out on a limb in suggesting he'll win a few more events in the US, I don't think.

[daveny]

It was a joy to watch him play!

[Dave Gordon]

Good to see someone who was talked up when he first appeared on the scene, actually come through. What can you say about that finish!

[sbasson]

HI there, I can tell you about Charl! I play the same tour as he does in South Africa! He is like Susan Boyle! the whole world was dumb struck when they heard her sing for first time! Her friend have her her all their lives! We have seen and played with him for years! We knew who he was and what he could do! Watch the South African space for lotes more of those type of players!!! Welcome to my world!

[Dabbler]

I was in the uncomfortable position on Sunday with my three favorite golfers in the whole world tied for first at one stage (Tiger, Rory & Charl). It is then I discovered that deep down I was rooting for McIlroy. Anyway I spent 40 minutes watching Charl at the driving range after one of his rounds at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January. I was astounded at how it was possible that he wasn't winning or coming 2nd or third in every tournament. That's golf I suppose. Charl is currently only at +1 after the first round of the Malaysia Open, but I guess he's allowed a hangover.