Schwartzel primed for tour history

SOUTH AFRICAN Charl Schwartzel yesterday gave himself another chance to become the youngest winner in European Tour history.

Playing just his 11th professional event and already with a third-place finish in the South African Open to his name, Schwartzel began the Canaries Spanish Open in Tenerife with a superb nine-under-par 63 to be joint leader late in the day with Sweden's Marten Olander.

Compatriot Dale Hayes was 18 years and nine months when he won the title in Barcelona in 1971. Schwartzel is two months younger.