Three-putts and average front nine costly for Louis Oosthuizen

Joy Chakravarty 07:49 21/07/2015
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  • Another near miss: Louis Oosthuizen.

    Louis Oosthuizen posted his second consecutive runner-up finish in majors, but was only full of positives.

    The 32-year-old South African, champion here in 2010, was in a position to make it a St Andrews double, but four three-putts on the tough back nine of the Old Course made all the difference as he lost to Zach Johnson in a play-off.

    — The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2015

    “I think I did really well getting into the play-off,” he said.

    “I had four three-putts today, but it was quite lengthy ones to start with, and I putted beautifully the whole week. I made good putts today, but misread the ones on 17 and 18,” said Oosthuizen.

    “I think it was crucial today to score on the front nine. You could see everyone was scoring there and I was only two-under. And that back nine was tough, when we made the turn, around our 12th hole, St Andrews showed all its teeth.

    “When I got to the 12th, I think I was two behind, and that was tough. It was tough to find birdies out there. I left myself a little bit too much to do probably.

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    “It’s never nice to lose a play-off. I’ve had the experience in 2012 at Augusta. But I’ll take a lot out of this week. I was really motivated to win this championship. I love this place. I’ve said it a thousand times and I can’t wait for it to come back here again.”

    Marc Leishman, who shot a 66 to get into the play-off, was left ruing a missed opportunity. The Australian said his tee shot on the first 
    extra hole landed in a divot, and once he made a bogey on the easy par-4 first hole, he was always on the back foot.

    “It was a big week for me and obviously pretty disappointed at the minute, having a chance to win it and not being able to take it,” said Leishman.

    “There were three of us in the playoff and there could only be one winner. I’m disappointed, but I’m happy with the way I played all week. I was pretty disappointed with that bogey on 16, but apart from that, it was very good golf.”

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