Charl Schwartzel Wins Valspar Championship; First Victory Since 2011 Masters

(March 12, 2016 - Source: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America)

​Charl Schwartzel began his final round trailing leader Bill Haas by five shots.  After 18 holes, the two found themselves tied at 7-under par.  Schwartzel was able to overcome this deficit by going out with a 2-under par 34 on the front 9.  Despite making 2 bogeys on the back 9, he was able to finish with a 33 on the back for a total score of 67.  Bill Haas struggled a bit during his round making 4 bogeys and 3 birdies to shoot a -1 72. 
 
Despite his struggles, Haas had a chance to win the tournament standing on the 18th tee.  Haas hit his tee shot into the right rough but his ball was sitting up making a shot at the pin a very realistic possibility.  He hit his approach at the pin and was able to just clear the greenside bunker leaving him a 20-foot putt from the fringe for the victory.  His putt just missed on the right side of the hole.  Bill Haas and Charl Schwartzel would be going to a sudden death playoff.
 
Schwartzel played the playoff very conservatively.  His tee shot found the fairway and his approach landed in the center of the green, about 25 feet away.  Haas, on the other hand, hit his tee shot, a 3 wood, into the woods off to the right.  He had a clear shot at the green, but his approach landed in a bunker in front of the green.  Haas tried to play the sand shot aggressively, but did not take enough sand and blasted the shot 20 feet past the pin.  Charl Schwartzel could now two putt for his second career PGA Tour victory, and his first since the 2011 Masters.  Both wins were come-from-behind efforts. 
 
Next up on tour is the Arnold Palmer Invitational from the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida.  Legend Arnold Palmer is the official host of the event and is expect to attend.  Defending champion Matt Every is expected to compete along with Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott.
 
On a final note, the last four PGA Tour winners have also won a green jacket.  Only 4 more weeks until the Masters.   
 
Matt Nadworny
MattN_BBS