Charl Schwartzel
The stoic South African who mastered Augusta National with a historic closing burst to claim a Green Jacket.
Born 1984 (age 42)·South African professional golfer·Birthday: August 31·Millennials
Biography
Charl Schwartzel wins with a quiet efficiency that belies the pressure of the moment. The South African, born into a golfing family in 1984, turned professional young and quickly established himself as a world-class ball-striker with a metronomic swing. His career-defining moment came at the 2011 Masters, where he entered the final day in the pack behind a chaotic leaderboard. While others faltered, Schwartzel executed one of the greatest finishes in the tournament's history, birdieing the final four holes to secure the Green Jacket. It was a victory of flawless, steely-nerved execution, a hallmark of his game. While he remained a consistent contender globally, that week at Augusta cemented his legacy. In the later stage of his career, he became a prominent figure in the LIV Golf circuit, showcasing the same consistent form that made him a major champion and a mainstay in the world's top ranks for over a decade.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Charl was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Charl Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Charl's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2011 Masters Tournament with a historic finish, birdieing the final four holes.
- Achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 6 in 2012.
- Has won over a dozen professional tournaments worldwide, including two on the PGA Tour.
- Was a member of the International Team for the Presidents Cup in 2011, 2013, and 2015.
Did You Know?
His father, George Schwartzel, was a professional golfer who also served as his first coach.
He is married to former model and South African TV presenter Rosalind Jacobs.
He is known for his distinctive, upright golf swing.
He won the 2002 Irish Amateur Open Championship as a teenager.
“You have to stay patient and let the birdies come to you.”
