Charl Schwartzel dominates Tshwane Open for 8-shot win
Charl Schwartzel once again won in his native South Africa on Sunday, turning a one-stroke 54-hole lead into an eight-shot rout at the Tshwane Open on the European Tour.
The 2011 Masters champion closed with 7-under 63 at Pretoria Country Club for a 16-under 264 total. Dane Jeff Winther finished alone in second, while Anthony Michael finished alone in third 10 back of Schwartzel.
The champion hypothesized he could have enjoyed an even bigger win had he been able to putt for the first three rounds like he did on Sunday, then he could have turned in a personal-best performance.
“In the first three rounds I gave myself so many chances. If I had the stroke I had today, it probably would have been my best tournament ever,” he said.
For Schwartzel, this is his 11th European Tour title and his second this season after taking the curtain-dropping Alfred Dunhill Championship, also in South Africa. Eight of Schwartzel’s 11 Euro Tour wins have come in his home country.
After suffering a long winless drought, Schwartzel, who came into the week ranked 43rd in the world, feels his game is coming around in time for the 2016 majors.
“Everything is sort of falling into place,” said the South African. “I’ve worked really hard leading up to this and it’s just been feeling good, so everything has got some really good signs, so I’m excited.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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