South African Schwartzel wins in Spain
IN: News | European PGA | Open de Espana (2007) | by Bruce Young | 30 Apr 2007
Even though it appears like he has been a fixture on the European Tour for many years, and in fact he has, South African Charl Schwartzel is only 22 years old. Today he further enhanced his already considerable reputation when he came from three shots off the lead in the final round of the Open de Espana (Spanish Open) to win by one over Indian Jyoti Rhandawa.
Schwartzel joined the European Tour at the age of 18 when he gained his Tour card for the 2003 season. Each season he just keeps getting better and in 2006 did well enough to finish 18th on the Order of Merit, recording three runner up finishes on the way.
Schwartzel now has the services of long time Ernie Els caddie, Ricci Roberts, and the youngster was quick to acknowledge the benefits of Robert’s considerable experience in his win this week.
“Having Ricci on the bag is just superb,” he told European Tour. “He had caddied for Ernie (Els) for about 16 years and they both fancied a change and when I asked if he wanted to caddie for me, I was very happy when he said yes.”
For Schwatrzel it is his second European Tour win but his first outside of his native country. His first win came at the 2004 Dunhill Championship although that particular event was part of the 2005 schedule. Schwartzel has been playing solidly for most of the year and this win followed up a third place finish at the recent Portugal Open. Southern Europe therefore appears to be a happy hunting ground for him.
“I’ve often played well in Spain and I thought if there was a place that I could win it would probably be in Spain.”
Rhandawa had established a two shot lead through 13 holes of the final round after a run of birdies but it became a tight fought affair between Schwartzel, Rhandawa and Spaniard, Carlos Rodiles, over the closing stages of the event. The turning point would come at the par five 16th when the South African’s 3 iron approach finished 12 feet from the hole and the resultant eagle took him two ahead. He was afforded the luxury of a bogey at the last but still had enough in reserve to hold out Rhandawa who was looking to make it an historic weekend for Indian golf after Gaurav Ghei had won on the Asian Tour 12 hours earlier.
Rodiles was the only Spanish hope in the latter stages of the event and led into the final round. He still had a chance playing the last but took a bogey and finished two behind Schwartzel and one behind Rhandawa. Spaniards have not had a great record in their own National Open since the event became a European Tour event in 1972 with only Ballesteros (3) and Garcia (1) winning the title.
The tournament suffered from weather delays for much of the week but somehow managed to get 72 holes completed.
The best of the Australians was the impressive rookie, Andrew Tampion, who finished 20th, Terry Pilkadaris was 54th, Marcus Fraser 58th and Terry Price was unable to capitalise on a promising start when 63rd.
The European Tour will play the Italian Open this coming week before returning to Spain for the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia.
