General / Bill Elliott / 18 January 2010 /

Sometimes it makes sense to agree with the bleeding obvious. So is this the way punters should feel about Charl Schwartzel as the European Tour finally cranks up a gear and moves into Abu Dhabi this week? Bill Elliott reports.

Charl Schwartzel is, in his own words, "on fire" at the moment, winning consecutive tournaments, taking an early lead in this season's Race to Dubai and, more importantly, entering the world top 50 in time to qualify for the really big week's (majors, world championships) that can make a career in a heartbeat.

Now the old, cynical, pro approach suggests strongly that this skinny would-be star has had his slice of good fortune for a while, that winning three titles on the bounce will prove a stretch too far as Schwartzel comes up against a quality field that includes eight of the world's top 14 ranked players in Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Geoff Ogilvy and Martin Kaymer.

Not only that but the last time any Euro Tour player pulled off a hat-trick of wins was back in 1986 when the blessed Severiano Ballesteros did it. Even then, Seve never managed three consecutive weeks of triumph.

Yet while I subscribe to the view that Schwartzel is unlikely to win in the desert this weekend, it would be foolish to write him off completely. Certainly I would not be surprised to see him contend. Yes, he will be a bit mentally tired but he also will be elated and stuffed with confidence.

The big point here is that he has nothing to prove, that he can go for it from the get-go because his 2010 season is already confirmed a big success following on his fourth and fifth Tour wins via The Africa and Joburg Opens while the even bigger point is that Schwartzel may be in the process of proving that he is now ready to mix it with the bigger names.

No-one ever has ever doubted his natural talent as well as his hunger for success in this most perverse of games. What has been in doubt is his ability to stand up and be counted in the really significant arenas and Abu Dhabi is edging its way to be included in this elite list. It is as though Schwartzel has his own doubts about being truly competitive against the marquee players.

If so, the last fortnight should have gone a long way towards offering a solid foundation upon which this South African can build an outstanding future. He is, after all, still only 25. In the golf world this means he is still a puppy but with those five European titles to his credit already after turning pro at 18 and becoming the second youngest South African - after Dale Hayes, remember him? - to qualify for Euro Tour membership.

As to 'tiredness' following that brace of victories, may I refer to my old pal Peter Alliss who, as ever, will harrumph at such a suggestion. As he once told me, Peter has nothing to do with this sort of forecast fatigue. "I always found that after winning, I couldn't wait for the next one to start. Once you've got the shots sorted out, pro golf is all about confidence and you're never more confident than when you are coming in off a win. Tiredness? That's for wimps."

Quite so, although Schwartzel may find that the bigger name players are just as anxious to put him back in his place this week as they return to the fray after winter breaks. Heading this list, of course, is Casey. To be fair, the defending champ is more anxious to re-establish himself than to give Schwartzel a bit of a slap.

"I feel hungry to play a lot of golf after suffering my rib injury in 2009, " said the Englishman. "Yes, last year was a great year (up to number three in the world at one point) but it was in effect half a year. Now my desire to play a lot has been fuelled. If I can stay fit and healthy there is no reason why I can't enjoy a really good 2010."

And so he can. Just one thing...Robert Karlsson, another player sidelined by injury last year, is in the field for Abu Dhabi and playing well. Karlsson gets a bit overlooked at present but in my house he remains a star and a player to follow. Just thought I'd mention it.

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