Louis Oosthuizen will start the weekend at Africa’s Major just one shot behind Sergio Garcia after a Friday 67 at Gary Player Country Club, writes WADE PRETORIUS in Sun City.
The 2010 Open champion survived a double drop on the 8th – a hole that he three-putted for bogey yesterday to cut significantly into the Spaniard’s lead.
Garcia was left to rue a cruel horseshoe on the last to drop back to -10 through 36, now just a stroke ahead of Oosthuizen with Finland’s Mikko Korhonen alone in third at -8.
Chasing his ninth European Tour win, Oosthuizen got off to the perfect start with birdies at the 1st, 2nd and 4th. The crowds quickly took notice and picked him as the man to follow on another sweltering day.
The heat was then turned on the top-ranked South African as he surrendered his gains with a double on the 8th.
‘Over the years it’s always been a tough tee shot … doesn’t really suit my eye because I only see 3-iron down there. Today the breeze was into me so I knew it was going to have to be a really good 3-iron and then 5-iron. I tried a little too much and kinda push it. Almost made a really good bogey but I completely misread the putt. That hurt more really,’ said Oosthuizen.
An eagle at the 10th and back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th once again put him within touching distance of Garcia, who dropped shots at the 13th and 16th and the last to end the day with a frustrating 71 that itself promised much after a birdie-birdie start.
For the South African interest though, it was Oosthuizen’s efficiency on the greens today that has spiked enthusiasm.
‘I’m playing really nicely. And the big thing is that I’m rolling the ball well on the greens. Sometimes the little misreads or putts that don’t drop get in the way but I’m happy with my position for sure.’
Oosthuizen moves into the final group of the day with Garcia and is relishing the chance of playing with the two-time champion on a course that he knows well.
‘He’s a great guy and obviously does well around here, so it’s going to be fun for sure.’
Moving into the final group, Oosthuizen is now the clear favourite for local hopes when it comes to ambitions of keeping the famed crystal ball in the country after Branden Grace, 71 on Friday and six back, broke the decade-long wait for a South African winner last year.
‘I think it will be nice for a South African to play well and at least be in the last group on Sunday. But the crowds have already been really good and it’s not hard to take in all the positivity around this place.
‘Hopefully tomorrow the predictions of even bigger attendance comes true and they come out to support us South Africans. It’s promising to be an exciting weekend.’
The 34-year-old admits that a late night is in store on Saturday regardless of his position in the event.
‘I’m definitely watching the Springboks; it doesn’t matter what time I’m off. It could be 6am and I still wouldn’t miss it. I texted [Springbok hooker] Schalk Brits and told him that we are all behind the team and confident we can get a positive result against France.’
It was certainly a positive Friday for Oosthuizen, who trailed the Spaniard by five before the day’s play. The picture has changed drastically although even the most partisan fans know there is a lot more golf to be played. And of course, a pretty important rugby match too.
