Schwartzel’s flat stick does trick
PLAYERS: SHARE OF SECOND EARNS CHARL MEGA BUCKS Former Masters champion’s season is shaping up nicely.
Charl Schwartzel credited an improved putting stroke which helped him to a share of second at the Players Championship at TPC at Sawgrass on Sunday.
Schwartzel carded rounds of 68, 66, 73 and 67 to finish on 14-under, four behind American winner Webb Simpson.
For his efforts, Schwartzel earned $821 333. In addition his considerable payday, Schwartzel moved back inside the world top50 to 43rd position, up 19 spots from last week.
“My putting has always been really good. I needed to trust it more, and now that I’m trusting it, trusting the lines, it seems like the stroke is also smooth. So I’m going to make some more putts,” said Schwartzel who ended three shots ahead of a charging Tiger Woods who also held a share of second during the final round. Woods eventually ended in tie for 11th.
The 2011 Masters Champion has displayed improved form over the last month with a third place at the Zurich Classic at the end of April, before a tied-ninth finish at the Wells Fargo Championship last week. It means his earnings on the PGA Tour this season stand at $1.5 million from 13 events, after making the cut 10 times.
“I started playing well there [at the Zurich classic]. My game has been feeling good for about a month, two months now. It just hasn’t sort of kicked on. But yeah, I’ve got good feelings. I feel like I’m playing the way I should play.”
After missing the cut at the Players Championship last year, Schwartzel was pleased to perform on a course that in the past has not suited his game.
“I’ve skipped it willingly before when I felt I don’t like it at all. But this week, I played a lot better, and I played the tough holes well.”