2011 Masters champ Schwartzel struggles in Round 1 of 2026 tournament

South African golfer failed to recapture past success at Augusta National

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:16pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a golfer's swing broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted earth tones, conceptually representing the challenges of recapturing past success.A former Masters champion struggles to recapture his past glory on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National.Augusta Today

Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, struggled in the opening round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. The South African golfer, who was hoping to recapture the magic of his previous victory at the course, got off to a cool start and was unable to recover, dampening his chances of another green jacket.

Why it matters

Schwartzel's poor performance in the first round is a disappointment for the former champion, who had high hopes of contending again at Augusta National. The Masters is one of golf's most prestigious events, and past winners are always closely watched to see if they can regain their championship form.

The details

Schwartzel, who won the Masters in 2011, had spent the past year focused on improving his physical conditioning and golf game in an effort to be competitive again at Augusta. However, the 37-year-old South African struggled from the start on Thursday, carding a 4-over-par 76 that left him well off the pace set by the early leaders.

  • The 2026 Masters Tournament began on April 9, 2026.
  • Schwartzel won the Masters in 2011, 15 years prior to the current tournament.

The players

Charl Schwartzel

A 37-year-old South African golfer who won the Masters Tournament in 2011.

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What they’re saying

“This year is the first year in a long time where I've thought there's a chance.”

— Charl Schwartzel

The takeaway

Schwartzel's struggles in the opening round of the 2026 Masters are a reminder that past success at Augusta National does not guarantee future performance. The former champion will need to regroup and put together a strong finish if he hopes to contend for another green jacket.