Louie, Louie: Fresh Face Dominates The British Open 2
American journalists spent most of the weekend struggling to pronounce his last name, but no matter how you pronounce it, Louis (Louie) Oosthuizen is a major champion after his dominating performance during the 2010 British Open.
While all watching kept waiting for the 27-year-old South African to remember that he is only the 54th ranked player in the world, Oosthuizen cruised around the famed course at St. Andrews for four days as if he were the champion of all champions.
His opening round score of seven-under par (65) was generally overlooked because of the record-tying 63 posted by Rory McIlroy. However, Oosthuizen seized control of the tournament with a 67 in round two and never looked back.
While other more distinguished players took turns falling victim to the winds, bunkers and other challenges of St. Andrews, Oosthuizen just kept plugging away.
After starting his third round with a bogey, Oosthuizen settled down and posted his third straight round in the 60s to enter the final round with a four stroke lead.
Even in the final round when he lead shrunk to three and it looked like Paul Casey might cut the lead even further, Oosthuizen responded with an Eagle that pretty much sealed the tournament.
By the time he finished his one-under par round of 71, Oosthuizen had a grin that stretched from ear to ear and a dominating seven-stroke victory.
His victory marks the fifth time in the last six majors that a first-time major winner has been crowned. Read the rest of this entry →