Charl Schwartzel worked through a round that had a little bit of everything but ended level through 18 at The Masters on Thursday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
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The 2011 Green Jacket winner’s day started off plainly enough with a birdie on the 3rd hole proving to the only movement good or bad through the front nine.
The difficult 10th proved to be the start of a rollercoaster ride into the clubhouse. A double drop there was followed by a par and then a birdie at the would-be troublesome 12th.
In fact, Schwartzel would add his name to the list of South Africans that made a 2 there on Thursday. Fellow countrymen Dylan Frittelli, Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen joined him on the list with only Trevor Immelman (double drop) missing out on completing a South African feast at the short hole.
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Schwartzel found water at the 13th but saved par before adding his name to the list of victims of a dropped shot at the 14th. The loss was quickly corrected with a four at the par-five 15th to return to level for the first time since arriving at the 10th tee.
A string of pars to close helped Schwartzel into the group at even par in 21st place, four off the pace set by Tony Finau, who shook off his ankle injury to lead for much of the opening round.
The debutant was then knocked off top spot by Jordan Spieth, who birdied 13, 14 and 15 to move into solo first at -5 with a few holes to play.
Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images
