The 139th Open Championship at St Andrews saw Louis Oosthuizen announce himself on the world stage with one of the most-commanding victories in Major history.
The 150th Anniversary Open in 2010 belonged to the then unheralded 27-year-old South African, who had just one European Tour victory the previous March.
He cruised to a seven-stroke triumph; only Tiger Woods with an eight-stroke victory on the Old Course in 2000 had won by more since 1913.
Thursday’s weather was the best of the week and Rory McIlroy took advantage by returning a 63, equalling the major championship record. It was the second 63 recorded at St Andrews, the eighth in all Opens but the first in an opening round. He led by two from Oosthuizen.
With high winds causing a suspension in play on Friday afternoon, McIlroy was blown off course with an 80. Oosthuizen was out in the second group of the day when it was not quite so windy, but breezy and rainy instead. His 67 was the joint-best of the day and gave him a five-stroke lead over 50-year-old former Champion Mark Calcavecchia.
Being the front-runner over the weekend did not faze the South African at all. His lead was four going into the last round and although he was rarely in need of any dramatics, he holed a 45-footer on the ninth for an eagle to quell any nerves.
Paul Casey found a bush at the 12th and took a double bogey so Lee Westwood finished as runner-up. Oosthuizen became the fourth South African to win The Open after Bobby Locke, Gary Player and Ernie Els and achieved his victory on Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday.
