Van Rooyen eyeing a good run in Open

Carnoustie – Erik van Rooyen’s “eye workouts” helped him set the early pace at Carnoustie yesterday as he marked his British Open debut with a four-under-par 67.

The 28-year-old, who finished in a tie for fourth at the Irish Open, made hay in the early-morning sunshine with five birdies before his single bogey arrived on the 18th.

While today’s top golfers are hard on strength and conditioning – Van Rooyen said he also trains his eyes, working with eye coach and fellow South African Sherylle Calder to help him around the greens.

Calder, nicknamed the “Eye Lady”, has also worked with the Springbok and England rugby teams, Mercedes F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and will be joining Van Rooyen at Carnoustie for his second round today and most likely through the weekend.

“She has had a very big impact on me since I started working with her about a year ago,” said former University of Minnesota student Van Rooyen.

“Putting was one of the things I knew I needed to work if I wanted to be in these positions. She has been massive.

“For me it’s about the putting stroke, but also what I see on the green. She has a programme called EyeGym that exercises your eyes and helps you judge distance and have better depth perception. It’s been great.”

Van Rooyen says he would like to emulate compatriots Ernie Els, champion at Lytham in 2012, and Louis Oosthuizen, who triumphed at St Andrews two years later, but admits he has never met South African great Gary Player.

“The guy I really grew up watching was Ernie. And to see Louis come through and fulfil his potential was cool for me as a South African.

“We look up to them and we try to follow in their footsteps,” he said.