11th Apr 2011 | The Masters
Schwartzel The New Master
An 18/1 chance at the start of the day, the young South African could do no wrong as a final round 66 propelled him to his first major.
It was a dramatic final day at Augusta as Charl Schwartzel birdied the last four holes to win by two shots from Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day.
The round started with Rory McIlroy the 8/11 favourite but his four shot lead had already evaporated by the third hole. This was only the start to a topsy-turvy day where seven players managed to share the lead at one stage or another.
Sadly, it was a chastening experience for the young Ulsterman, McIlroy. Leading at the turn, a triple bogey at 10 seemed to break his morale. All confidence with the putter evaporated and he slumped to a final day 80 to finish tied-15. There is still plenty of time for the young prodigy and Victor Chandler make him a 16/1 shot to win the Open.
As for Schwartzel, he started the day as an 18/1 chance, but a best of the day 66 ensured that for the first time since 1994 no American holds a major. It wasn’t plain sailing however. After 17 holes Adam Scott held a one shot lead and was 1/4 to win his first major, until the blistering finish from Schwartzel.
The US Masters also marked a renaissance for Tiger Woods, who finished tied-4th. He would have been even closer if it was not for missed short putts on the way in. The bookmakers were impressed enough to think that the old Tiger is back and make him 5/1 to win the British Open.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 09:37 11th Apr, 2011 but subject to change