BONUS - RUSTENBURG - JOHANNESBURG - Home favourite Louis Oosthuizen romped to a first-ever South African Open title after extending his overnight lead and finishing six shots clear after carding a final round 67 at the Randpark Golf Club over the weekend.
The home turf boy with a tournament total of 266, comfortably defeated a charging pack as he ended almost three years without tournament success in securing a ninth European Tour title.Oosthuizen was three shots ahead overnight and expected to face a tough final day challenge from fellow south African - Charl Schwartzel. This, however, did not materialise as Oosthuizen surged clear, seeing off a shaky start to bag four birdies in six holes and turn in 33 at 16-under-par. “I had a tough start today but just had to bite the bullet,” said a tearful Oosthuizen after securing victory.
On reflecting on his game over the final rounds Louis explained: “I just went back to basics. I just concentrated on hitting the fairways and the greens. I knew I was putting well enough.” The 36-year-old hit an eagle at the 14th to go even further ahead, even as Romain Langasque attempted a late challenge. The Frenchman hit two birdies and an eagle in successive holes to temporarily cut Oosthuizen’s lead back to three shots but then bogeyed the 16th to end any remote hopes he might have had of winning.