Louis Oosthuizen wins The Open Championship at St Andrews
To spectators, Louis Oosthuizen seemed to be wandering by the beach of the North Sea. The voyage of his golf ball rolled over pretty paths against the white sky. He passed downhill the fairway like he was out for a fresh breath of air.
The trouble with a grand show is that it can be monotonous. It was not unexciting for Oosthuizen, of course, nervously consulting the dangers of the legendary golf course. However for the spectators, Oosthuizen's accuracy and unshakeable attitude turned the last day of the championship into a sight to see. The contest was over, hours earlier than the championship really ended with his 71 and seven-stroke victory, as he lifted the trophy in front of the ancient building.
From the beginning to the end of the game, Oosthuizen was the leanest driver, most excellent ball striker and an absolute putter on the field. Furthermore, the 27-year-old held the steadiest spirit and suffered not a single hand shudder. Casey perhaps did never have any honest chance of taking the title even before his ball disappeared on the 12th hole. His game structure did not seem at par at all. On the other end Lee Westwood merely was not a factor either.
Previously a golfer kicked the grassland this badly in the finals at St Andrews, his name was Tiger Woods. Hence that automatically makes Oosthuizen a fascinating champion.
He came out of nowhere; having missed 7 of 8 cuts in earlier major championships. Oosthuizen struck 65-67-69 in the earlier three rounds on a course hit by unpredictable weather. Oosthuizen was steady off the tee that he barely was concerned to watch his ball land on the greens. He would strike the ball and in between its flight would lean over and take back his tee and give his club back to the caddy matter-of-factly.
Any doubts as to whether Oosthuizen was a competitive golfer were erased at the par-4, ninth hole. Oosthuizen struck the green, and stepped up to shoot a 50-footer for eagle. There was simply no sign of weakness in Oosthuizen's game, or his mind.
As important as his triumph at St Andrews was, to be measured something more than an inconsistency, Oosthuizen would have to clinch a couple of more majors. However his win at St Andrews definitely suggests that the South Africa can win again and again. It is not just optimism; however it is a statistical possibility.
Only fourteen golfers have ever won a major grand title by more strokes than seven. Just two of these legends were: Fred Herd, who won the 1898 U.S. Open by seven, and Willie Smith, who also took the U.S Open just one year after Willie Smith in 1899 by a lead of eleven.
The South African, farmers son, Oosthuizen gave a thrilling finish at St Andrews, and there is a distinct sense in the air that he will be an appealing growth for golf.
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