Old Palm News

Old Palm Golf Club resident and member Charl Schwartzel overcame a five-shot deficit in the final round to capture the 2016 Valspar Championship in a playoff over Bill Haas. It took a heroic effort on the back nine as Schwartzel sank a 64-foot birdie putt on the 13^th, birdied from a tough lie in the bunker, and made a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17^th. Then, he two-putted for par on the first extra hole to secure the victory. It was Schwartzel’s third win in his last six tournaments, but his first in America since winning the 2011 Masters. Schwartzel is understandably thrilled about the victory and his renewed momentum as he prepares for this year’s Masters tournament next month. “There’s nothing that gets you pumped like winning,” said Schwartzel, who shot 67, the lowest round of the day. “It’s a really good boost.” Schwartzel put in plenty of practice in the off-season and it paid off, starting with two victories this year in South Africa, his homeland. “Winning in South Africa really helped because there you’re hitting good shots under pressure to win,” he said. “That gets your confidence up.”