Schwartzel wins Spanish Open as challengers all bogey late  MADRID, Spain -- Charl Schwartzel of South Africa won the $2.75 million Spanish Open on Sunday after shooting a 5-under 67 to finish at 16-under 272. Jyoti Randhawa of India (67) had six birdies through 13 holes, but a bogey at No. 15 spoiled his round, leaving him second at 273.  Charl Schwartzel earned his first European Tour victory outside his native South Africa. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The 22-year-old Schwartzel sank a 15-foot putt for an eagle at the 16th, but then bogeyed the par-4 18th. Third-round leader Carlos Rodiles of Spain (72) needed a birdie to tie it, but his approach missed the green and the Spaniard had a bogey to finish third at 274. "The three shots on the 16th were probably the three best I hit all week," Schwartzel said. "People said I'd won on the European Tour before but in South Africa, but I said I could do it in Europe too and it was just a matter of time before it all clicked in." Englishmen Simon Dyson (71) and Mark Foster (68) finished tied for fourth at 275. After three days interrupted by rain, all the leaders at Centro Nacional had to play the bulk of their third rounds as well as the closing 18 holes on the final day. That 15-foot eagle putt on the long 16th proved decisive, and afterward Schwartzel paid tribute to the man at his side -- Ernie Els' former bagman Ricci Roberts, who was caddying for him for only the third time. "He has helped quite a lot -- he is very confident and that gives me a little edge," Schwartzel said. "It feels good. People said I'd won on the European Tour before but in South Africa (the 2005 Dunhill Championship), but I said I could do it in Europe too and it was just a matter of time before it all clicks in. "The three shots on the 16th were probably the three best I hit all week," he added. "It's not a tee shot to laugh at with water all down the left, but I hit it perfectly and then had the perfect 3-iron yardage." It was a nervy finish to both rounds for him, though. He double-bogeyed the 18th on his first visit of the day, and when returning there with a two-shot lead was twice in rough. But he escaped with his bogey. "It was a good thing I could have some lunch after that double. I was steaming," added Schwartzel. "It was only 20 minutes before we had to tee off again, but it gave me time to cool down." For Randhawa, who had set the target of 15 under with a closing 67 of his own, it was a fourth runner-up finish. But he has tasted victory seven times in Asia. Randhawa, whose wife gave up her Bollywood film career to spend more time with him, became a father for the first time earlier this month and was hoping to complete a remarkable recovery. He was 5 over par after 13 holes of the first round and yet led by two with four to play. As he bogeyed the 15th, however, Schwartzel birdied the 13th and then it all swung round on the 16th, where Randhawa only parred. Randhawa married Chitrangada "Tina" Singh in 2000, who three years later shot to fame with her debut movie. More followed and she also became a fashion model, but that inevitably took her away from Randhawa more than they both liked. "Spending time together was getting to be an issue for us," he said. "Either I was playing golf or she was busy doing movies. "Finally she herself decided to quit as she wanted to stay with me all the time -- and I must say I was happy with her decision." Rodiles was left to regret not only his closing bogey, but also a missed eagle chance from only six feet at the 16th after a glorious second shot. He had been three clear as he started the final round, but managed only a level-par 72. Schwartzel's win will take him into the top 50 and could mean a place for him in the Players Championship in Florida in the middle of May. Copyright 2007 Associated Press and PA Sport. All rights reserved. |
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