Louis Oosthuizen was far from his best on Thursday losing to James Hahn at Austin Country Club in Texas, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Hahn won the first hole and never looked back to get himself back in the frame to advance to the playoffs.
Oosthuizen watched as his American counterpart birdie the first quickly found himself conceding the second hole to drop two behind. The South African was three back after three and completely out of sorts.
A birdie on the fifth was followed by another on the sixth but on both occasions Hahn matched him shot for shot.
The gap was two when Hahn made five at the ninth and that’s where it would stay as Oosthuizen went par, par, birdie on the par five, par and then saved par from six foot for another half.
A half from five foot meant Oosthuzien headed to the final three holes two behind. Both birdied the 16th which left the South African scrapping for a half point.
That flicker of hope was done when he failed to find the putting surface as he turned away in disgust with his ball finished in the hazard to all but end the contest. Hahn was awarded the hole and the 3&1 win when Oosthuizen failed to hole out from the bunker with his second shot.
Group 8 is now wide open with all four players on one point after two rounds, adding extra intrigue to the rematch of the 2016 final between Oosthuizen and winner on that occasion, Jason Day.
Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
