SA star Charl Schwartzel eyes second Masters Green Jacket at Augusta: ‘I am feeling good about it'
Charl Schwartzel Charl Schwartzel is one of three South Africans starting their bid for the Masters title at Augusta National on Thursday afternoon. Photo: AFP
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Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel will go into Thursday's first round at Augusta National full of confidence that he can repeat his winner's exploits of 2011.
He will be one of three South Africans at golf's first major of the year, and the 40-year-old has set his sights on a second Green Jacket in 2025.
After a strong performance in his last tournament at the LIV Golf Miami event, where he came second, Schwartzel feels a consistent performance could aid his challenge for a second win.
Rory McIlroy reflects on what this week means. #themasters pic.twitter.com/OILQzy2eOd — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2025
For the first time in a couple of years, he arrived at Augusta with clarity on what lies ahead.
'I am feeling good about it, to be honest,' he said about his Masters chances.
'There were a lot of good signs for me at the beginning of this year. I've worked hard, I've gotten a lot fitter, and have lost a lot of kilogrammes. I am feeling good in general, so we will see. I am quite content.
'I am very privileged to play Augusta, and we'll keep it at that.'
Schwartzel, who is grouped with Denny McCarthy of America and amateur Singaporean Hiroshi Tai, will tee off at 5.49pm (SA time) and will be the final South African in the field.
Ahead of him, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (5.38pm) play alongside US duo Tom Hoge and Matt McCarty.
Debutant Thriston Lawrence (5.10pm) will be the first SA player to grace the course alongside Spaniard José María Olazábal and Brian Campbell from the US.
Schwartzel described Augusta as a second-shot golf course where you must be accurate with your irons.
He says there's still a bit of leeway when you drive off the tee box, and those who do well on the course are good iron players.
He remembers the 16th hole fondly, although No 12 and No 13, with the blooming azaleas, are the most beautiful holes on the course.
'The more you play the greens, the more you understand how to putt,' Schwartzel said.
'As opposed to someone who plays here for the first time, they struggle because there is so much more break in a normal putt.
'It doesn't get easier when you play there often, but you, in a way, get more used to the breaks on the greens (and how fast it runs).
'I could never forget 16 because of the year that I won (in 2011), the eruption that happened there when I made the putt... it always stands out.
'But I would say the most beautiful part is 12 and 13 with the azaleas, but 16 will always stand out for me.'
Ludvig Åberg stormed onto the professional golf scene. In his second Masters, he plans to cement his place in the game. #themasters pic.twitter.com/hZaIKgBSFH — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2025
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