South Africa, the latest Golfing Power

Another golf major passes and, for all the big names scenting victory down the back nine another, little known South African beats the lot of them.

Step forward Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 US Masters winner, who made the most of Rory Mcilroy's horrific self-destruction to storm ahead of all the more likely contenders, and that includes a Tiger Woods who could smell a first major win since his well-chronciled "troubles." Schwartzel is thus added to a list that also includes Louis Oosthuizen, the current Open (British) champion, and Trevor Immelman, who also took the Augusta green jacket in 2009.

 All three can say their thanks to Gary Player, the godfather of South African golf, and to Ernie Els, who has become mentor to all three of these now major champions, and many more too. Suddenly the brais in South Africa today will not be for victory on the rugby field or cricket pitch, but for their rapidly expanding army of golf champions.

If there was a better story than Tiger Woods breaking down the barriers of class and colour, then it would be for a black South African champion. It's not going to happen overnight. But Schwartzel's success may have brought this unlikely event a step closer.