Oosthuizen crowned British Open champion

ST ANDREWS: Rank outsider Louis Oosthuizen has won the British Open, capturing golf’s biggest prize by a stunning seven strokes with an accomplished display of front-running. It was the biggest winning margin in the world’s oldest and most prestigious tournament since the sport’s number one Tiger Woods won the tournament in 2000 by eight strokes.

Oosthuizen started the day on 15-under par, four strokes ahead of England’s Paul Casey and with the rest of the field already left trailing in his wake. Plotting his way around the Old Course links, Oosthuizen was never really threatened as he carded a closing 71 for a 16-under total of 272. The runners-up spot, a distant seven strokes back, went to England’s Lee Westwood who closed with a 70 with three players in a tie for third a stroke further back; Rory McIlroy (68), Henrik Stenson (67) and Casey (75).

“It’s unbelievable,” said Oosthuizen. “It was difficult having such a big lead to keep calm and focussed, but I kept calm all the way. I’m glad I had eight shots on 18! I think I cramped up a bit with the putter. It’s just amazing.”

Ranked 54th in the world coming into St Andrews, Oosthuizen was the fourth South African to win the Open after Bobby Locke, Gary Player and Ernie Els.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20th, 2010.