Charl Schwartzel fancied his chances prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament.
The 2011 winner spent the past year toning his body and golf game. The South African — on the 15th anniversary of his Augusta triumph — went so far as to reunite with 2011 caddie, Greg Hearmon.
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“This year is the first year in a long time where I’ve thought there’s a chance,” Charl said. “I’m subtly optimistic about it.”
However, with an 8:26 a.m. Thursday tee time, Schwartzel couldn’t tame the elements, carding a first-round 75.
“I’ve always struggled in cold weather,” he admitted. “I only started feeling like I can swing properly from about the sixth hole.”
When asked about the 3-over start, the LIV Tour golfer said he made a couple of “soft bogeys.”
“On this course, you don’t really want to make those soft bogeys. You’re going to make enough bogeys as it is. You don’t need to give the course too many,” he said.
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Despite the slow start, Schwartzel remains optimistic about playing the weekend.
“Yeah, tomorrow is a bit later,” he said of Friday’s 11:39 a.m. tee time. “Should be much better.”
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Charl Schwartzel struggles in cold Masters weather
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