Second at the Masters. Third in Houston, but Louis Oosthuizen finally clinched the victory his recent form richly deserved at the Maybank Malaysian Open.
The South African soon got over the fact of losing in a play-off and being pipped to a second Major Championship by Bubba Watson at Augusta National last Sunday and the tiredness of a 30-hour journey and clocking up over 10,000 miles over the last 3 weeks to win by three shots at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
When you factor in travelling across 12 time zones, and with storm disruptions on Friday and Saturday which left the 2010 Open Champion with 26 holes to play on the final day. This was a remarkable performance as Oosthuizen carded a closing 68 for a 17 under par total, with all four of his rounds sub-70.
Louis has always been a favourite of mine, and he has such a simple, beautiful golf swing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he challenge for another major this year and didn’t even win one. The South African players seem to have a grit and determination and greater mental strength that other players don’t.
The loss at the Masters must have been hard to take but like McIlroy showed last term you have to bounce back straight away otherwise it can effect you for years and it becomes harder to learn how to win again.
Well done Louis!