Louis Oosthuizen will once again lead the South Africans looking for a solid week at the Memorial Tournament, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
South Africans in the field this week:
Louis Oosthuizen
A horror back nine on Saturday – 45 with four water balls – had Oosthuizen slip from the top 10 to the bottom of the pack. Oosthuizen has been firing in every part of his game since the restart but just not in the same round or over a course of the weekend. His opening-round 64 at the Travelers remains a highlight. Made the weekend here in 2019 but finished way down the pack.
Form guide: T55-MC-T46-T65
World ranking: 24
Erik van Rooyen
Without a PGA Tour card, Van Rooyen has not had the luxury of picking and choosing his tournaments. A closing 70 at the low-scoring RBC Heritage prevented him from picking up a serious payday.
Form guide: MC-T21-MC
World ranking: 42
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
How low scoring was the RBC Heritage you ask? Well, Bezuidenhout was sub-70 in all four rounds and could only finish just inside the top 30. Like Van Rooyen, he is attempting to play his way on to the PGA Tour which no doubt adds an extra element of pressure.
Form guide: MC-T28-MC
World ranking: 48
Branden Grace
From the highs of his start at the Charles Schwab Challenge where three consecutive 66s put him in serious contention (he closed with a 73) for another win on US soil to now fighting his way back after two missed cuts in a row. Grace missed the weekend last year at Muirfield Golf Village, but 365 days combined with the pandemic year means that will matter little.
Form guide: T19-61-MC-MC
World ranking: 61
Dylan Frittelli
Has banked the best finish of all Saffas since the restart thanks to that magnificent 62 at the RBC Heritage. But … has failed to make the cut in any other event plus was forced to miss a week after testing positive for coronavirus. Already a winner on the PGA Tour, it feels from the outside that if Frittelli clicks he can scare the leaders in a big way.
Form guide: MC-T8-MC-MC
World ranking: 110
Charl Schwartzel
A solid display at the RBC Heritage the lone shining light on Schwartzel’s report card to date. Three missed cuts – including at the Workday Charity Open – means the 35-year-old starts this week with plenty to prove.
Form guide: T41-MC-MC-MC
World ranking: 219
Ernie Els
Back-to-back 67s helped put The Big Easy in the spotlight at the RBC Heritage in his lone start. A slow weekend had him tumbling down the board as he enjoys the twilight section of his PGA Tour career.
Form guide: T48
World ranking: 462
