British Open Profile: Charl Schwartzel

Best Odds: 40/1 (Bet365)
Age: 28
World Ranking: 14
Best Results in Open: T14 - 2010, T16 - 2011

Open Record:

Five missed cuts in eight appearances is pretty inauspicious. A T22 at Royal Liverpool in 2006 saw the South African make the weekend for the first time but the T14 at St Andrews in 2010 was a personal best.

Form:

A dazzling 2011 saw Schwartzel leap to the world’s attention, most notably when he became the US Masters champion. He then went off the boil for a while before finding his game again spectacularly eight months ago. In December he won his first title since Augusta in Thailand by 11-shots before triumphing again a week later at the Alfred Dunhill Championship by 12 shots! He has kept things ticking along since then quite nicely.

Verdict:

One of the guys who we are growing accustomed to seeing on major leaderboards. He was right in the mix in the US Open until a final round 78 pushed him down to 14th. He was also in good shape in this championship two years ago before a third round 75 harmed his chances, but that experience will serve him well. Nobody should doubt his character if he gets in contention.