Louis Oosthuizen is known for starting off seasons on a high and four times in the last five years he’s won the first event on his calendar. Rest and time with the family are clearly important for the 2010 Open Champion, who begins his 2016 season at this week’s Commerical Bank Qatar Masters.
‘After a good break, you want to go back out on the golf course again. You want to play, and I think a lot of times with the schedules we have these days, you lose that a bit, to be hungry again just to go out and play. Doesn’t matter what you shoot. I got a bit of that back again after a big break,’ said Compleat Golfer’s new Playing Editor.
The Mossel Bay local will be keen to get the ball rolling in the United Arab Emirates this week, but his goal for the year is to win another major.
‘I think now, it’s get down to the golf and do more work. I had a taste of a second Major last year, and that really got me hungry to win a few more,’ he said.
In order to win one of the big four he’ll need confidence, and there’s no better way to build up self-belief than by winning.
‘Augusta is the first one to get your game really sharp. I think it’s a bonus if you get to a Major week and your game is on top form. That’s what everyone tries to get to, and the really top guys do it every week, they get their game sharp for big events,’ he said.
‘Still need to get myself to that level. I feel the biggest thing for me is still consistency, but I’m moving in the right direction,’ he added.
Doha Golf Club was the scene of Branden Grace’s victory last year and the seven-time European Tour winner returns to defend his title.
‘Branden loves playing in windy conditions,’ he said. ‘He grew up with it, as well. We grew up close to each other back in South Africa and he obviously likes this golf course.
‘I’ll never write him off; he’s really become a player that’s up there every week. He’s a great putter, so if his ball-striking is on and he can find greens, he’s always in contention. I won’t be surprised to see him right up on the leaderboard from the start.’
