Here are 5 things to know about British Open leader Louis Oosthuizen
Louis Oosthuizen has already had either a great year or a year of “almosts,” depending on how you feel about finishing second in two of the biggest golf tournaments around.
The South African is at the top of the leaderboard after Friday’s second round of the British Open at Royal St. George’s Golf Course in Sandwich, England. He leads Collin Morikawa by two shots at 11 under par, setting a 36-hole tournament record in the process.
This performance is following an excellent run in 2021’s golf majors — he finished second in both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open already this year.
Oosthuizen has recently purchased a farm in Marion County, moving to the Ocala, Florida, area after previously living in the South Florida community of Palm Beach Gardens.
Here’s a look at Louis Oosthuizen.
1. Learn how to pronounce it :)
Louis Oosthuizen reacts after yelling fore on his tee shot from the 14th tee during the final round of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. (Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Oosthuizen's name, which is of Afrikaans derivation, can be a little daunting to try and pronounce at first.
According to the New York Times, his management says there are three legitimate ways to pronounce it: "Oo-est-hayzen,” “West-hayzen,” and "Oost-hayzen.” In an ad for Ping golf clubs, he pronounced it the second way: "West-hayzen."
2. Oosthuizen is on quite a hot streak in 2021
Louis Oosthuizen waves to the gallery after his eagle putt on the 18th green during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Finishing second in two majors in a single year would rank high on any golfer's wish list — lower than winning both, but still pretty high.
In May, Oosthuizen stayed in contention for the PGA Championship at the Island Course of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, right up until the 13th hole in the final round. Unfortunately, he found the water. Phil Mickelson won the tourney, becoming the oldest golfer to win a major at 50. Oosthuizen was two shots behind, and tied Brooks Koepka for second.
In June, once again, Oosthuizen was right there at the top heading into the final day of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. But in the end, he couldn't hold off Spaniard Jon Rahm, and ended up a shot behind.
Overall, Oosthuizen has finished second in a major six times during his career.
Second again: Louis Oosthuizen 'frustrated' and 'disappointed' after yet another runner-up finish
3. Remember his major: The 2010 British Open
Louis Oosthuizen on his change in approach on the course prior to winning his first major at the 2010 British Open.
If there is a good sign ahead for Oosthuizen, it's this: The tournament he's leading now? He's won it before.
In 2010, Oosthuizen won the famed claret jug trophy in the British Open, taking the title at perhaps the event's most famous venue, St. Andrews in Scotland.
He left no doubt after three straight rounds under 70. By the time the final round had started, Oosthuizen was four shots ahead of Paul Casey, and he extended his winning margin to seven shots. He ended up at 16 under par; second-place Lee Westwood was at 9 under.
4. Oosthuizen is a brand-new homeowner in Florida
Louis Oosthuizen smiles as he walks across the 17th green during the first round of the Open Championship golf tournament. Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
However this weekend goes, Oosthuizen will have a nice new place to come home to.
He recently purchased the 86-acre Freedom Oaks Farm, using the name Jasoma LLC, earlier this year from Gary and Pauline Hartogh for $2.85 million. The farm is just west of U.S. 27.
The Morriston home was originally built in 1974. It is a four-bedroom, 4,243-square-foot home, with nearly 3,000 square feet of enclosed porches, according to Marion County Property Appraiser records.
He moved to Ocala from Palm Beach Gardens, where he sold his home for $5.5 million.
5. Oosthuizen says he's 'a farm boy at heart'
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa reacts on the 18th fairway during day four of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Heritage Golf Club on December 3, 2017 in Bel Ombre, Mauritius. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Oosthuizen's love of living on a farm comes from his boyhood. He told the Associated Press in June that he is “a farm boy at heart, me and the missus, and we can’t wait.”
The golfer still has a 150-acre South African ranch where he mostly grows hay for his brother, who has a dairy farm on a neighboring 1,500 acres.
In that interview, he said the Marion County deal came together after he and his wife, Nel-Mare, had visited friends in the area during Christmas.
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