Schwartzel draws on experience to land Nanshan China Masters
'It’s a matter of staying in there, hitting good golf shots and controlling your own destiny,' says South African
South African Charl Schwartzel drew on memories of his 2011 Masters triumph to emerge victorious at the Nanshan China Masters on Sunday.
Schwartzel dug deep for a four-under-par 68 to claim the OneAsia title by a stroke from fellow Major winner Darren Clarke (72) and defending champion Liang Wenchong (72).
Two behind Clarke and Liang overnight, Schwartzel birdied the 15th and 16th to draw level with the Northern Irishman, who saw the title slip from his grasp with a loose tee shot on the par-three 17th.
“I won the US Masters from four shots behind and I won by two shots,” Schwartzel said.
“I never thought I was out of it, for any second. It’s a matter of staying in there, hitting good golf shots and controlling your own destiny.”
The Nanshan China Masters is my major – one of the most important wins in my career – and a good platform for younger China players
Schwartzel finished nine under for the US$1 million tournament around the 6,784-metre (7,419-yard) Montgomerie Course at Nanshan International Golf Club, despite complaining he hadn’t struck the ball well all week.