So, who is Charl Schwartzel anyway?

When Charl Schwartzel rolled in that 15-footer for birdie on Augusta National‘s 72nd green to secure his first major, many armchair golfers might have been left scratching their heads and asking the question: Charl Who?

In a field packed with the likes of household names such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, the name Charl Schwartzel might not be the most recognisable to those who don’t follow every strike of the ball throughout the golfing season, and instead only concentrate their attentions on the majors.

That all changed on Sunday, as the South African emerged from the shadows of relative anonymity and ensured people would now know his name and that he’d be talked about in the same breath as his more illustrious counterparts on the golfing stage.

So who is the latest inductee into the US Masters Hall of Fame?

Charl Adriaan James Lindsay Schwartzel was born in Johnannesburg, South Africa on 31st August, 1984 and grew up on the Schwartzel family farm. He enjoyed a hugely dominant junior amateur career and represented his home country in the 2002 Eisenhower Trophy. His amateur wins included the 2002 English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Royal Cinque Ports, where despite limited links golf experience he walked away with the Brabazon Trophy with a score of 282 (-6) for four rounds.

Schwartzel turned professional at 18, and became the third youngest player to secure a European Tour Card after qualifying through Q-School. Although he didn’t win, he earned enough money in 2003 and 2004 to retain his card both years.

Schwartzel’s first tournament success as a professional came in at the co-sanctioned European Tour event, the Dunhill Championship in his 2005 season. The win went a long way to ensuring Schwartzel topped the Sunshine Tour’s Order Of Merit, and he went on to finish 52nd on the European Tour Order of Merit.

The following season saw Schwartzel again top the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit – winning the Vodacom Tour Championship in the process – and he also broke into the top 100 on the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time, peaking at number 57 in the rankings.

A third consecutive stint at the top of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in 2007 was accompanied by his first full European Tour win, in the Spanish Open, to move into the world’s top 40.

A further win would follow in 2008 with a victory at the Madrid Masters, but 2009 proved a fruitless year for Schwartzel as he finished the season without a win to drop back down the rankings.

However, in 2010, Schwartzel would win twice early – both in South Africa, with victories in the Africa Open and Joburg Open, as well as perform with credit in some of the biggest tournaments in the golfing calendar, finishing in the top-30 in all four majors. Schwartzel’s performances in 2010 ensured he would re-enter the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

At the start of the 2011 season, Schwartzel joined the PGA Tour as a full member, and also retained his Joburg Open title by four shots before his memorable win at Augusta on Sunday past. That win alone moved him up the Official Golf World Rankings to 11th place.

Schwartzel’s main sponsor is Nike, and according to his Sunshine Tour profile he lists his favourite course as Leopard Creek, although we think that might have changed since Sunday!

Schwartzel will, of course, be back in 2012 to defend his Green Jacket. If you want to see whether or not he can successfully retain his title and experience the full US Masters 2012 drama as it unfolds, then our Masters 2012 packages are for you.