Schwartzel flawless as he seals top prize in Madrid

south african turns in classy show despite illness and injury

Published:

Charl Schwartzel won the Madrid Masters after a flawless five-under-par 66 in the final round left him three shots ahead of second-placed Ricardo Gonzalez.

The South African took a one-shot lead into the final round following scores of 69, 64 and 66 on the par-71 Club de Campo course, and he was in imperious form again, racking up two birdies on the front nine and three more on the way back.

Argentinian Gonzalez, who came from nowhere with a nine-under-par 62 in the third round, threatened in patches to overthrow the South African atop the leaderboard, as did Englishman Robert Rock, who launched an early assault on the way to a stunning seven-under-par 64.

Pablo Larrazabal had two early birdies, but he lacked the same spark which ignited his nine-under 62 on Saturday and a 67 meant he finished third on 15 under.

Ultimately the classy Schwartzel was too strong, despite admitting earlier in the tournament he had been struggling with injury and illness.

“I played very well again today,” said the 24-year-old after his third European Tour win.

“I woke up this morning and felt a lot better than I have been feeling.

“I thought I ground it out nicely all week. I just managed to keep it going today.”

The par-5 seventh hole was a turning point in the battle between Schwartzel and Gonzalez.

The former hit his second shot way right of the green, but produced a well controlled chip out of the trees to within three feet and sank the putt for birdie.

Gonzalez, however, had a five-footer for birdie which slid wide, and he had to settle for a seventh successive par, allowing Schwartzel to creep three shots ahead.

Rock, four groups in front, increased the pressure, his birdies coming in clusters at two, three and four, seven, eight and nine and then 12, 13, and 14, but Schwartzel turned the screw midway through the back nine.

Schwartzel admitted he was glad he took his father's advice on Friday to not withdraw from the competition.

He had considered pulling out because of a shoulder problem and a virus, but persevered following a telephone conversation with his father George.

“I spoke to my Dad and he told me to tee off and see how I feel,” he said.

“I haven’t felt great. I had a shoulder problem and some sort of flu bug which has been going around.

“I’ve been waking up in the mornings feeling achy and sore and not having any energy, but this morning I actually felt a bit better.”

Aberdeen’s Paul Lawrie finished in style with a 67 for 279 for a share of 29th, while Press and Journal columnist Stephen Gallacher had a 73 for 280. He finished joint 37th.