Charl Schwartzel insists post-Masters whirl won't affect Malaysia bid

Published on Wednesday 13 April 2011 14:48

MASTERS champion Charl Schwartzel insists he is out to win the Maybank Malaysian Open despite the after-effects of his dramatic Augusta triumph.

Schwartzel had little time to enjoy winning his first major title before heading to Kuala Lumpur in a private jet with stablemate Rory McIlroy, who had led by four shots going into Sunday's final round.

The 26-year-old South African admits he does not know whether he is coming or going at the moment, but still wants to put in a good performance when he tees off alongside compatriot and Open champion Louis Oosthuizen. At a pre-tournament press conference, Schwartzel said: "Right now as I'm sitting here I don't know if it is morning or night. We've had a 12-hour time change and 24-hour flight. I was in the gym earlier to get the muscles loose and the body going. I don't just like to come and play. I said before I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could perform.

"Obviously last week was such a big week. It's still so difficult to take it all in. I've been so busy with media afterwards and then straight from there I slept a few hours and got on a flight here. So I've not really taken it all in yet.

"Maybe next week when I'm at home I'll maybe sit and watch the highlights and reflect on last week. I'm just quite a happy guy right now."

Before the final round at Augusta, few people had tipped the South African to win his first major, but he held his nerve to produced a flawless final-round as his rivals failed to keep pace.

"I like playing in contention," said Schwartzel, who had won six times previously on the European Tour. "I focus better. I get all my emotions better under control. The Masters is obviously different to other tournaments but yet I felt very, very in control and I'm quite proud of myself for that."

The prize for keeping his cool was the coveted Green Jacket, previously worn by his compatriots Gary Player and Trevor Immelman, which Schwartzel kept on for most of Sunday evening.

He said: "It is weird what you will do for just a jacket. It's such a good feeling. I wore it just about the whole night. I wore it on the plane for a while but it got a little hot at one stage so I had to take it off."

Schwartzel, Oosthuizen and defending champion Noh Seung-yul are the top group over the first two days, but USPGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer starts as favourite despite missing the cut at Augusta. "I think this is the strongest field the Malaysian Open has had," Schwartzel added. "I'm looking forward to this week. Whenever I enter a golf tournament I try to play my best. I will this week to see if I can win this one as well."