Charl Schwartzel signed off with a two-under-par 70 on Sunday to reach 14-under-par and take a share of 23^rd in the Safeway Open on the PGA Tour.

A pair of bogeys on the first two holes of his homeward nine slowed what looked as if it could have been a faster finish, but he closed with a good birdie on the par-five 18^th in the opening tournament of the 2020-21 season which was won by Stewart Cink for his first victory since his 2009 Open Championship title.

Schwartzel was starting the new season after last season was spoiled by recovery from a wrist injury as well as Covid-19, and three successive 68s ahead of a solid closer gave him a lot of confidence.

Branden Grace closed off well too, his four-under 68 lifting him to a share of 29^th on 14-under-par.