MALELANE, South Africa: Charl Schwartzel was a runaway winner for the second straight week, coasting to a 12-shot victory yesterday at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on the European Tour.
The 2011 Masters champion finished with a total score of 24-under 264 - the lowest at Leopard Creek Country Club.
He won by 11 strokes in Thailand last weekend. Schwartzel was three shots off Tiger Woods’ record for the biggest victory margin on the European Tour. Woods won the US Open in 2000 by 15 shots.
Schwartzel won for the eighth time on the European Tour.
The South African also captured this tournament in 2004, his first title on the tour.
He entered the final round with a 10-shot lead and closed with a 69.
The runner-up was Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg, who finished at 12 under.
First-round leader Gregory Bourdy shared third with Scott Jamieson, Garth Mulroy and Andy Sullivan - 13 shots behind Schwartzel.
Schwartzel was surprised that he won by such lopsided margins in consecutive weeks.
“That doesn’t happen often,’’ he said. ‘’Normally after a win by such a big margin, it’s hard to put up the same show the next week. It’s satisfying to continue that form and play the same sort of golf. I keep talking about consistency, and mine is back where I like it to be.’’
The only thing that slowed Schwartzel on the final day was a brief weather delay.
This was his first title on the European Tour since his Masters victory two years ago.
His win in Thailand was his first title on any tour since Augusta.
Schwartzel finished with four birdies and a bogey to win with scores of 67, 64, 64, 69.
He overtook Jamieson at the top of the tour’s Race to Dubai money list after the opening two events of the season.
Sweden’s Magnus Carlsson had the third hole-in-one in three days on the par-3 No. 12.
Keith Horne aced the hole Friday and Saturday. AGENCIES
