Schwartzel targets treble chance in Joburg
SOuTH African Charl Schwartzel is looking to pip compatriot Richard Sterne to an unprecedented hat-trick of Joburg Open titles this week.
The former Masters champion secured back-to-back victories at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in 2010 and 2011 but Sterne also has two titles to his name, from 2008 and 2013.
Both players are in the field this week and, after playing just one competitive tournament this year, Schwartzel is ready for his return.
“After some time off, I always feel fresh because I drain more mentally than do physically,” he said. “It’s nice to have had time off and I feel up for the challenge and in our game that’s 85 per cent of the battle won. Time will tell what’s going to happen, but at least I feel good.
“We [he and Sterne] have played a lot of good golf around here so we’re pretty comfortable with it and I don’t think anything really changes for me around here. It’s always good to play in this tournament at a course that I like, and it’s no different this year.”
Defending champion Sterne insists he is not under more pressure. “It would be nice to defend and win three times but
Iit doesn’t put any pressure on me or anything,” he said. “I’ll just take it as it comes and, hopefully, come Sunday I’ve got a chance.”
Aside from the £171,000 first prize there are three spots on offer at this year’s Open at Royal Liverpool as the Joburg Open is the second event in the qualifying series. Three players, not already exempt, who finish in the top ten and ties will secure a place for the 143rd Open Championship at Hoylake in July.
The 13-strong Scottish contingent includes Marc Warren, Scott Jamieson, Craig Lee and Chris Doak, as well as the South African-based duo Doug McGuihan and Alan McLean. KEVIN Pietersen’s enforced England retirement has divided opinion spectacularly and KP’s uber-ally Piers Morgan accused wicket-keeper Matt Prior of undermining coach Andy Flower in a team meeting.
Prior could not resist a reply.
The saga even had a former England rugby captain reaching for analogies.
Hang on, didn’t Carling’s England lose the odd game?