A Saturday 71 ended Louis Oosthuizen’s bid to win his first regular event on US soil as he dropped to a share of 49th at the Travelers Championship, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
South Africa’s No 1 has been showing red numbers ever since his impressive first round 64. Round three – brought forward and off a two-tee start due to a storm approaching, saw him drop 23 places and 11 shots behind former World No 1 Dustin Johnson. The American roared into the clubhouse with five birdies on his inward nine in a bogeyless outing.
Late in the day, he was overtaken by Brendon Todd who moved two clear at the top.
Oosthuizen didn’t miss a putt inside 10 feet which helped limited the damage. He found just 50% of fairways and 66% of greens in regulation.
His first mistake came at the par 3 fifth where his errant tee shot left him with a two-putt bogey. Oosthuizen got back to level at the next with an exquisite wedge to inside five feet.
Another tee shot finding the bunker on a par three left him one over at the turn. He was able to get back to level with a two-putt birdie at the 13th but calamity struck on the short, driveable par 4 15th for the third straight day.
A bogey in round one after finding the water was replicated on Saturday. Those drops sandwiched his triple on Friday.
Oosthuizen’s day closed with a 20 foot putt to save par on the last.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images
