EAST LONDON (9 January 2011) – Louis Oosthuizen added another Open to his list of victories when he won the Africa Open in a three-man playoff at the East London Golf Club on Sunday.

Oosthuizen birdied the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to beat England’s Chris Wood and Spain’s Manuel Quiros to the title, which is his third on the European Tour.

“It’s a great way to start the season. This is my first European Tour title in South Africa and I’m quite ecstatic about that,” said Oosthuizen.

The South African closed with a 70, Wood a 68 and Quiros a 69 to see them all tied on 16 under par.

Teeing off first in the playoff on the par-four 18th, Oosthuizen didn’t hit the best of tee shots and came close to out of bounds before it kicked right and rolled onto the fairway.

“It was a terrible tee shot, but it worked out well because I had a flat lie and could hit a full sand wedge. So I knew with a bit of spin I could get it close,” said Oosthuizen, who went on to hit his second five metres from the hole.
Wood hit his approach to about 10 metres, while Quiros went just over the back of the green. Both Quiros and Wood parred the hole, leaving Oosthuizen to make his putt for birdie and the win.

“The whole day was a struggle actually. It was one of those tournaments where the putter was very cold. But my caddie Zack told me to just be patient and the putts will drop,” said Oosthuizen.

That putt finally arrived on the par-five 15th green, where Oosthuizen holed out for eagle from about 12 metres to share the lead with Wood on 15 under. But he was denied the sole lead when his birdie putt on 16 lipped out.
Quiros found his own putting form with three birdies in the final three holes to also make the playoff.

But Wood was very disappointed not to have followed through with a maiden victory on the European Tour.

“I wasn’t expecting much having not practiced much with all the snow at home. But when you’re in a position to win, it’s disappointing not to do it. I didn’t do much wrong and can’t really fault myself, but it just didn’t happen for me.”

Charl Schwartzel put on a good show in defence of his title and posted a 70 to finish alongside Jaco van Zyl and Steven O’Hara on 15 under par.

Oosthuizen now leaves South Africa for a few tournaments on the European Tour before joining the PGA Tour, and admits he’s excited about this new chapter in his life.

“I’m looking forward to the whole year, playing half in America and Europe. I’m looking forward to contending on both money lists.”
 
ENDS