The Masters 2017: 10 dark horse golfers to win the Green Jacket

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May 2, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Charl Schwartzel (left) and Paul Casey (right) watch Casey’s tees shot on the fourth hole during day four of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac March Play at TPC Harding Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Charl Schwartzel

There was a brief, shining moment back in 2011 when Charl Schwartzel was the king of Augusta. Schwartzel won his only major to date by winning the 2011 Masters Tournament over a pair of Australians in Jason Day and Adam Scott. Scott would earn his Green Jacket two years later with the belly-putter.

Schwartzel may end up being the least likely Masters Champion of the last decade, but his name is one of a kind and he is a legend in South Africa. He became the third South African to win in Augusta joining three-time champion Gary Player and 2008 champion Trevor Immelman.

Outside of the 2011 Masters, Schwartzel has only three top-10 finishes in major tournaments. He hasn’t finished better than 25th in the Masters since his 2011 victory. He’s been cut in two out of the last three Masters.

For that reason, OddsShark doesn’t give Schwartzel great odds to win the tournament at +6,600. Much of that comes from his name recognition from his 2011 tournament win. The thing about Augusta though is that past winners tend to win again. Previous winners can get into rhythm and essentially recreate the magic that once brought them glory in on the Georgia green.

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