The year’s first major tees off this Thursday, and Schwartzel arrives at the iconic course in Georgia off the back of a strong second-place finish at the weekend’s LIV Miami event at the Blue Monster in Florida.

Schwartzel closed with an impressive six-under-par round to finish five-under overall, just one shot behind the winner. Australia’s Marc Leishman, a former Nedbank Golf Challenge champion, claimed victory at six-under-par.

Charl Schwartzel. Photo: Charles Laberge/LIV Golf

Defending Masters champion – and Schwartzel’s Stingers teammate – Dean Burmester, finished 14th in Miami.

Speaking after the tournament, Schwartzel said the performance had given him a great deal of confidence heading into Augusta, and right up until the end, he felt in contention. “Overall, I’m very happy with a lot of things,” Schwartzel said.

“What I’ve been feeling over the last few months is starting to come to fruition – it’s really starting to feel good again.

“You know, I’ve got this bit of disappointment because of the way it played out today – Leish was on 18 just chipping out, and I hit it on the green. You’re thinking, worst-case scenario, we’re going to a playoff. But he obviously made a great putt. I’m happy for him, though – I played with him yesterday, and he played great.”

Returning to the scene of his only major title – which he won in 2011 – the 40-year-old said it’s the first time in a long while that he’s felt confident going into Augusta.

“It’s the first time in a long time that I feel optimistic about Augusta,” Schwartzel added.

“In recent years, it’s either been injuries or my game hasn’t been in good shape. And, you know, you’re not really going to compete in a major if anything is even slightly off.

Charl Schwartzel receiving his famous green jacket from Phil Mickelson after becoming the 75th Masters champion back in 2011. Photo: X

“This time around, I’ve put in a lot of work during the off-season – I’ve lost over 10 pounds, gotten fitter, stayed injury-free, and my swing’s feeling free and easy.

“So, there are a lot of positives going back to a course that I love.”

Schwartzel will be joined in the field by fellow South Africans Thriston Lawrence and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

The Masters tees off on Thursday at Augusta National.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg