South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen has been paired alongside Justin Thomas and Tony Finau for the first two rounds of this week’s Masters.
Although not officially recognised as featured groups at Majors, the pairing is set to be one of the main matchups to kickstart the 2021 edition of the Green Jacket.
Many view Thomas as a favourite to push for his second Major triumph this week, his recent form suggesting more than enough optimism for this.
Finau experienced a pretty solid start to the new year, securing a number of top-five finishes. However, he has missed the cut in both of his last two PGA Tour events, while he was knocked out during the group stage of last month’s WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
Watch: Bezuidenhout experiences Augusta toughness
Oosthuizen, on the other hand, boasts a pretty consistent Major record and will carry a lot of experience into another Augusta National showdown.
The 38-year-old finished in 23rd position at last year’s November Masters, having already come agonisingly close at winning the Green Jacket – losing to Bubba Watson in a playoff in 2012.
Dylan Frittelli will be part of the second group on Thursday morning, taking an early swing alongside Australian Matt Jones and Scotland’s Sandy Lyle.
Frittelli showed great intent at the recent WGC Match Play where he hammered Finau on opening day. The 30-year-old will also be fairly confident after his impressive showing at the Masters five months ago. Frittelli enjoyed a brilliant four rounds in Georgia, signing off in T4.
2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel will also be tested in his group for Thursday and Friday’s action. Schwartzel has been paired with South Korea’s Si Woo Kim and Canadian Corey Conners.
The South African has had a tough start to the year and was put to the test on the PGA Tour with a number of challenging weeks so far. Schwartzel has managed only one top-50 finish since the start of 2021 and will be eager to get back to form at a venue where he celebrated his greatest golfing achievement yet.
? Masters Groupings ?
– Louis Oosthuizen ??, Justin Thomas & Tony Finau
– Christiaan Bezuidenhout ??, Webb Simpson & Sergio Garcia
– Charl Schwartzel ??, Si Woo Kim & Corey Conners
– Dylan Frittelli ??, Matt Jones & Sandy Lyle#TheMasters— Compleat Golfer (@CompleatGolfer) April 6, 2021
Lastly, Christiaan Bezuidenhout will make his second Augusta National appearance, but this time as the 35th-ranked player in the world. Bezuidenhout carries a lot of South African hopes and optimism into this week’s spectacle and possesses all the talent to provide a deciding challenge.
The 26-year-old will feature in a group consisting of himself, 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia and 2012 US Open winner Webb Simpson.
Louis Oosthuizen – Justin Thomas – Tony Finau
Dylan Frittelli – Matt Jones – Sandy Lyle
Charl Schwartzel – Si Woo Kim – Corey Conners
Christiaan Bezuidenhout – Sergio Garcia – Webb Simpson
Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images
