South Africa’s highest-ranked golfer in the world, Louis Oosthuizen, expects the rescheduled date for this year’s Masters to present a number of unfamiliar challenges to golfers.
Oosthuizen lost in a playoff to Bubba Watson at Augusta National back in 2012 and has proven to handle the famous course quite well over the years.
But, the fact that this year’s edition will be played in a completely different season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will force golfers to change their approach and preparation for the Masters.
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‘Well, I think everyone is going to feel like a rookie again playing Augusta. No one knows what it’s like to play it that late in the season, no idea what to expect from the golf course,’ said Oosthuizen in an interview with the BBC.
The effect of the coronavirus has led to a great deal of disruptions to all golf around the world, most notably a significant number of events that have been either postponed or cancelled as a result.
Earlier last month it was announced that the 149th Open Championship will be cancelled, while the US Open, PGA Championship and Masters were moved to later dates.
‘Everyone’s going to try and prepare a little different for it. I might go up a little earlier than normal, the week before, to start playing because the golf course will be playing different. So, I think it’s wait and see what we’re facing,’ continued Oosthuizen.
The PGA Tour, though, has since made its intensions clear to restart the season as early as June. However, a number of events could be staged behind closed doors, something Oosthuizen admits will be quite a change for the players.
‘It’s already going to be a crazy schedule if we start up in June. Without fans it will be very different.
‘It will be like playing a competition at your club. It’s going to feel awkward but if we decide to go ahead mid-June, it will be the right thing to do to have no fans.’
