Six South Africans have booked their place at the Masters 2019. WADE PRETORIUS looks at their form and track record for the year’s first Major.
READ: Who our tipster backs this week
Charl Schwartzel
How he qualified: Masters champion 2011
Best result: 1st (2011)
2018 result: Missed Cut
Masters record: 1 win, 1 top 5, 6 of 9 cuts made
Current form: Schwartzel’s career is in something of a decline, with no less than three cuts in the last 10 outings; two of those outside the main PGA TOUR events. The South African has missed the cut in two of his last three visits, meaning he will lean hard on his 2011 win for ‘good vibes’ ahead of round one.
Verdict: Will make the cut, but not a strong contender
Louis Oosthuizen
How he qualified: Top 12 last year and top 50 in the world
Best result: Runner-up (2012)
2018 result: T12
Masters record: 1 top 5, 6 of 10 cuts made
Current form: Oosthuizen’s Masters form isn’t as good as might be expected. He has made the cut in his last four outings, which bodes well for course form. T2 at the Valspar Championship and T5 at the WGC-Dell Match Play means SA’s No 1 is arriving in a good space, even if he’s been struggling with various parts of his game since winning the SA Open in December.
Verdict: Almost certainly a top 10 and could just feature late on Sunday if he rids himself of that one bad round
Branden Grace
How he qualified: Top 50 in the world
Best result: T18 (2013)
2018 result: T24
Masters record: 3 of 5 cuts made
Current form: A man for the big occasion, Grace is favoured by many observers to get into the Major’s winners club soon. His Augusta form doesn’t point to overwhelming evidence that this will be his event. After good runs at the WGC-Match Play and Phoenix Open, his game is standing up to the test.
Verdict: Top 25
Justin Harding
How he qualified: Top 50 in the world
Best result: N/A
Masters record: On debut
Current form: A win and a runner-up in his last four outings, Harding has gone from tour grinder to tour threat. A missed cut in Texas last week wasn’t ideal preparation, but the way his game has stood up to this point suggests he’ll do fine in the arena that is Augusta National.
Verdict: Will do well to make the cut on his first outing
Jovan Rebula (a)
How he qualified: Winner of The Amateur
Next best: N/A
Masters record: On debut
Current form: Rebula, the nephew of Ernie Els, has had a mixed bag when playing at the highest level. A T24 at the SA Open was good experience for the youngster, who will be eager to impress.
Verdict: Missed Cut
Trevor Immelman
How he qualified: Masters champion 2008
Best result: 1st (2008)
2018 result: Missed Cut
Masters record: 1 win, 1 top 5, 9 of 16 cuts made
Current form: Immelman surprised the world in 2008 when he beat Tiger Woods by three to the Green Jacket. That win lifted him to 15th in the world, but since then he’s been plagued with injury and has subsequently dropped down into the rankings abyss. Has missed five cuts in his last seven outings.
Photo: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
