Charl Schwartzel is happy to play the Shell Houston Open
Charl Schwartzel is happy to be in the field of the Shell Houston Open. He will be preparing to defend his title of the Masters, by competing well in the upcoming PGA staged tournament.
The 27-year-old South African professional golf player is looking forward to display an amazing game at the Red Stone Golf Club, Tournament Course in Texas.
He has special feelings for the course and said that he has a great chance to be impressive at Augusta, by playing good at the Shell Houston Open this week.
According to him, both the courses have the same features and hurdles. Hence, to play at the Red Stone Golf Club will definitely help him to be up to the mark at the Masters site, Augusta.
"It's always one of my favourite events, and not because it's the week before the Masters," Schwartzel said.
"The way they set up the golf course, it's known to be very good practice for Augusta but I just like the golf course as it is. It's just a bonus that they do set it up very similar (to the Masters)".
Schwartzel tied for the third place in the 2010 Shell Houston Open and scored 11-under 277. He competed well for the title and is again confident to rule the leaderboard by enormous scoring.
"I know when I play at my best that I can compete with the best," he added. "That's what I work towards. For next week, I'm very excited. It's going to be a big week, and I'm going to try and keep it as normal as possible".
Last year, he was also tremendous at the Masters and finished the first major of the year on the top. He scored 14-under 274 and earned $1,440,000 there.
This year the scenario is slightly different. The South African will be facing all the leading golf players at the Masters. Defending the title can also be an uphill task for him.
However, the Houston Open field is slightly easier than the Masters.
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are the leading rivals for Schwartzel, whereas the absence of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald would definitely benefit him, while scoring at the Shell Houston Open.
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