Charl Schwartzel excited for comeback at Tshwane Open

Charl Schwartzel is feeling refreshed for his return to the European Tour this week after taking the longest break of his career.

Schwartzel is one of the big draws at the Tshwane Open in South Africa, where a home-dominated field will look to continue the nation's grip on this season's competition.

In his absence, South African players have won three of the six European Tour events played, with victories for Branden Grace and exciting youngsters Haydn Porteous and Brandon Stone.

Schwartzel has not played competitively since the Nedbank Golf Challenge more than two months ago, a tournament which came a week after his fourth victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

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"I've had a two-month break and I said to my wife that I'm actually itching to get my hands on my clubs again," Schwartzel said.

"I took my clubs out of the garage and hit balls because I wanted to. One of the best things I ever did is taking this break. I feel excited."

Schwartzel says the South African success over the last two months has given him added desire to succeed.

And the good vibes in general surrounding the sport, with a young and exciting top four in the world - Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler - make him all the more determined to compete with them.

"It's a very good time for South African golf. In fact, I think it's a great time for world golf. People were so worried that if Tiger Woods leaves the scene it's going to fall apart a bit, but there are so many exciting players in the world now and the game is very healthy," Schwartzel added.

"For South Africans, it's so nice to see Brandon and Haydn pull through and see them putting up a new challenge. It's running its natural course. Louis Oosthuizen and I were in the spotlight for quite a long time. Now the young guys are coming through. I like it. That gets me hyped up and makes me want to play even better.

"I've just got a great feeling for this year, whatever it brings. My game was good at the end of last year and the practice is going well. Right now I feel I can compete with the best players in the world."