An emotional Louis Oosthuizen was full of praise for his family and friends after romping to a six-shot win at the SA Open at Randpark.
Oosthuizen joined Bobby Locke, Gary Player and Ernie Els in one of the most elite clubs in South African professional golf; winners of the two oldest national championships.
‘To be the fourth South African to win both – that feels really special,’ said the 2010 Open champion.
Frenchman Romain Langasque was second, while South African Charl Schwartzel shared third place with England’s Oliver Wilson, and fellow South Africans Thomas Aiken and Bryce Easton on 10-under par.
Struggling to talk through his tears, Oosthuizen explained why his first victory since 2016 meant so much to him.
‘It’s always tough when you’ve been through some stuff and the people who have been behind you are not here to celebrate with you. My wife and kids have been phenomenal. It would’ve been great to have them here with me,’ he said.
And they would no doubt have seen a golfer as in control of his overall game as he’s ever been.
‘My putting has been as good as it’s ever been,’ he said. ‘I had all the confidence to hit my putts, even if I hit them two or three feet past. You don’t have that all the weeks, but this week I definitely had that.’
Oosthuizen admitted he was still hurting from being beaten by Lee Westwood for the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player.
‘I was outplayed by a brilliant last round by Lee, and that hurt. I wasn’t happy with that result, but I made sure that this week I was focused and I didn’t get down on myself. It was a tough start, but luckily everyone else had similar starts. I could easily have lost that three-shot lead after three holes. I saw Branden’s name up there and I thought he would really come at me. That got me focused,’ he said.
