There is only one word which accurately captures the feelings which wrapped themselves around the last day of the 2011 US Masters – unbelievable.
A day which started with Rory McIlroy having the chance to re-write Augusta National history ended with Charl Schwartzel producing the most scintillating finish ever to win his first major championship and ISM’s second in less than a year.
Charl started and ended spectacularly – his third hole pitch in for eagle at three having cancelled out Rory’s four-shot overnight lead while closing with four successive birdies was simply scintillating and spectacular. Phil Mickelson draped the green jacket around Charl’s shoulders as the sun set on a day which will never be forgotten while ever anybody talks about the most memorable days of the US Masters.
No fewer than seven players either held or had a share of the lead at some stage during an afternoon of remarkable tension and shot-making.
Although Rory will be disappointed that he could not hang on for his first grand slam title, his day will come. The 21-year-old will emerge bigger and stronger from the experience and it will make him even more determined to write his own chapter of major championship history.
Charl now follows Gary Player and Trevor Immelman as honorary members of Augusta National, this unique club in Georgia. He is a worthy champion and showed exactly what he is made of – very strong stuff.
And I wasn’t the least bit surprised when he singled out his father George (a former playing partner of mine on tour) and Louis Oosthuizen as two of the major inspirations in his career. When Louis lifted the silver claret jug in St.Andrews last July, Charl was by the side of the green and I am sure he said to himself that one day he too could win one of the sport’s biggest prizes. Little did he know that his day was only two majors away.
It was a truly unbelievable end to a magnificent weekend because not only did Charl lift a trophy, but also did Anirban Lahiri in India and Gregory Bourdy at the PGA Championship in France.
Happy Days.
