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South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen at the Telkom PGA Championship, Fourth round. Photo by: Bob Stapleton- Wikimedia.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Louis Oosthuizen

Don’t write off Louis Oosthuizenout just yet.

No one expected the South African pro to even make the cut when he won the British Open in 2010, and with Jordan Speith riding a wave of success and favorable odds, few expect Oosthuizen to do much this year.

However, the quiet and unassuming Oosthizen, who has one of the best swings in the game, has always had a trick up his sleeve and is considered a dark horse to win the Open again this year.

Fresh off a late surge at the US Open, Oosthuizen is pursuing his own path to success and returning to a St. Andrews course he adores. Here’s everything you need to know about Oosthuizen and his opportunities.

1. He nearly won his second Claret Jug

Louis Oosthuizen was inches away from winning his second Claret Jug. After finishing tied for first place with Zach Johnson and Marc Leishman, the players competed in a four-hole playoff, which Johnson won.

Oosthuizen came close, but missed a final-hole putt. It was far too much drama for a Monday night, and if you’re new to golf, you won’t want to subject yourself to it again.

But if you’re the masochistic type and want to know who Louis Oosthuizen is, we’ve got you covered.

2. Ernie Els funded Louis Oosthuizen’s early career

Louis Oosthuizen was born on Mossel Bay, a tiny town on South Africa’s stunning Garden Route. He always liked golf, but could not always afford for the equipment he needed or tee times. Through Ernie Els’ foundation, Oosthuizen spent three years refining his career and growing as a golfer.

3. Louis Oosthuizen turned professional at the age of 19

Louis Oosthuizen turned professional at the age of 19. He had won a few amateur titles before turning professional in 2002.

4. He has his own wine brand and restaurants

South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen at the Telkom PGA Championship, Fourth round. Photo by: Bob Stapleton- Wikimedia.

It’s probably not surprising that Louis Oosthuizen, like so many other South African athletes, owns his own winery. Oosthuizen and winemaker business partner Jacques Borman handpick Louis 57.

The wines are sourced from South African vineyards and are divided between the Louis 57 Private Collection and the Louis 57 Private Cellar.

5. In 2010, Oosthuizen won the British Open Championship

Oosthuizen won his first major championship at St. Andrews the last time the British Open was held there.

He came into the tournament ranked 54th in the world and had only made the cut once in his previous eight major championship appearances. Despite the low expectations, Oosthuizen found his rhythm, and more notably, his swing, on the fairways, shooting 71 on Sunday and finishing the championship at 16-under-par 272 to win by seven strokes.

His stroke of 272 was the second lowest in St. Andrews history.

So, will 2015 be a repeat of 2014?

Oosthuizen is quick to deny that his return to St. Andrews has given him an advantage, saying in a pre-tournament press conference that he can’t even remember what he did leading up to the 2010 event.

He remains confident, telling Golf:

I just needed to show myself that if I ever find myself in that situation again, I can handle it and still hit good shots. I wasn’t nervous coming down the last stretch. Every shot had me pumped. I enjoy being in that position.

6. His recent big purchase 

Louis Oosthuizen is a new Marion County homeowner. Whatever happens this weekend, Oosthuizen will have a nice new place to call home.

He paid $2.85 million for the 86-acre Freedom Oaks Farm from Gary and Pauline Hartogh earlier last year, using the name Jasoma LLC. The farm is located just west of US Highway 27.

Morriston’s house was constructed in 1974. According to Marion County Property Appraiser records, it is a four-bedroom, 4,243-square-foot home with nearly 3,000 square feet of enclosed porches.

He relocated to Ocala after selling his home in Palm Beach Gardens for $5.5 million.

7. Earlier, he competed on the Sunshine and European Tours

South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen at the Telkom PGA Championship, Fourth round. Photo by: Bob Stapleton- Wikimedia.

Oosthuizen turned professional at the age of 19 in 2002 and competed on both the Sunshine and European Tours.

On the Sunshine Tour, he won five professional tournaments: the 2004 Vodacom Origins of Golf Tour, the 2007 Dimension Data Pro-Am and Platinum Classic, and the Tekom PGA Championship twice, in 2007 and 2008. Oosthuizen joined the European Challenge Tour in 2003 and has been a member since 2004.

At the age of 27, he won his first European Tour event, the Open de Andalucia de Golf, in March 2010.

He shot a final-round 63 for a 17-under total, propelling him into the world’s top 50 and earning him his second consecutive trip to the Masters.

Of course, no wine connoisseur is complete without a restaurant in which to showcase his wares, and Oosthuizen is no exception.

In his hometown of Mossel Bay, South Africa, he owns and operates Route 57. Chef Anzelle Seelie created the menu, which combines modern fare with traditional South African fare.

Of course, the wine list is excellent.

8. He is the husband of Nel-Mare Oosthuizen since 2007

Jana, Sophia, and Emma are the couple’s three children. They have been married since 2007. Nel-Mare is a South African native who graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2000.

After running their own farm during the early years of their marriage, the family has now relocated to the United States.

Many of the couple’s close friends were taken aback by the move, especially after Oosthuizen had put in so much effort on the farm.

He even struck a deal after winning the Volvo Golf Champions pro-am to exchange the tournament prize for a backhoe so he could work on the farm:

I’ve been pestering my wife for a few years that I need something on the farm to get rid of some stumps and other debris. So I’m going to experiment with it and possibly dig a few bunkers.

9. How to say the name Louis Oosthuizen

Oosthuizen’s name, which is of Afrikaans origin, can be difficult to pronounce at first.

As per the New York Times, there are three correct pronunciations: “Oo-est-hayzen,” “West-hayzen,” and “Oost-hayzen.” In a Ping golf club advertisement, he pronounced it the other way: “West-hayzen.”

10. During the 2015 British Open, he needed 11 hours to complete one putt

South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen at the Telkom PGA Championship, Fourth round. Photo by: Bob Stapleton- Wikimedia.

The British Open finished on a Monday for the first time in 27 years, after severe weather delays over the weekend. High winds of up to 45mph halted play for 11 hours, forcing Oosthuizen to miss his putt on the 13th green.

Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to wait on the course in such bad weather.