Jul
18
Posted By: Chris Garrett ยท
Louis Oosthuizen made only two bogeys over the final 35 holes and finished at 16-under to win his first major championship Sunday on the Old Course at St. Andrews. The 27-year-old Oosthuizen, who trusted FJ ICON golf shoes, style #52005, and a SciFlex glove, closed with a final round 1-under 71 to win The Open Championship by a remarkable seven shots over fellow FJ player, Lee Westwood (FJ golf shoes, Pure Touch Limited glove).
It was revealed during the final round that Oosthuizen marks his SciFlex glove with a red dot so when he looks down before each shot, he is reminded to focus on the shot at hand and dispel all distractions, something that served him well en route to the biggest victory of his career.
“It’s a good thing to just think about the golf on the golf course,” said Oosthuizen, explaining the Red Dot during his post-match interview. He’d gotten advice about how to do that, and he wanted a reminder.
“I needed, like, a trigger just to get back in the moment… and whenever I look at it I know…just to compose myself, focus on this shot, forget about everything around you.”
Oosthuizen went 24 consecutive holes without a bogey until his streak ended on the par-3 eighth hole by missing a 6-foot par putt. That trimmed his lead to three, the closest anyone would get during the final round. His playing partner hit driver onto the par-4 ninth green and Oosthuizen answered by doing the same. When he holed his 50-foot eagle putt, his lead was back to four shots, same as when he started.
Oosthuizen spent the final hour with a big grin on his face, although he started out that way, too. He put his arm around caddie Zack Rasego after hitting off the 18th tee and walking over the Swilcan Bridge, thousands of fans packed into the grandstands, along the road and peering out the shop windows.
The biggest smile came on the 18th green, with a hug for Rasego, and an embrace with wife Nel-Mare and 7-month-old daughter Jana. It will be years before the child can appreciate the magnitude of this moment.
"I will say, 'That's the day Daddy makes us the proudest,'" his wife said. "And we'll never forget it."
In 2010, When FJ Wins, You Win. Enter here for your chance to win FJ ICON golf shoes and a SciFlex glove, just like Louis Ossthuizen wore en route to victory Sunday.