The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Oosthuizen gets emotional after his ‘perfect’ victory on home soil
Home favourite Louis Oosthuizen hailed a “perfect” victory after he claimed the South African Open title for the first time.
An emotional Oosthuizen held back tears on the 18th green having powered to an emphatic six-shot success in Johannesburg.
The 2010 Open champion carded an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys yesterday to sign for a closing 67 and finish the week on 18 under par.
He joins Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Bob Charles, Ernie Els and Henrik Stenson on the list of players to win both the Open and South African Open.
“I wish the family was here,” Oosthuizen said.
“I knew today was either going to be very special or heartbreaking. I know there are only a few that have won the Open and the SA Open, so I’m very chuffed to have my name on this.”
Frenchman Romain Langasque was Oosthuizen’s nearest challenger on 12 under courtesy of his finalround 66 on the Firethorn Course at Randpark Golf Club.
Charl Schwartzel, who won the Masters in 2011, finished in a tie for third on 10 under alongside fellow South Africans Thomas Aiken and Bryce Easton, and England’s Oliver Wilson.
Oosthuizen entered the final day with a three-stroke lead but a shaky start saw that advantage cut to a single shot early in his fourth round. He responded in style, though, reeling off four birdies in six holes from the fourth before covering the back nine in 34 shots to ease to victory.
Victory for Oosthuizen was his first since the 2016 ISPS HANDA Perth International.
Robert Macintyre was top Scot after finishing with a 71 to finish alongside home favourite Ernie Els on eight under. Marc Warren was two shots further back after a final round 69 and Ewan Ferguson was on five under thanks to a closing 71.