Troon, United Kingdom: South African Louis Oosthuizen achieved a rare feat on Thursday with a first round hole-in-one at the British Open to go with the one he struck at this year’s Masters.
The 33-year-old — who won the British Open in 2010 and was runner-up last year after losing in a play-off to Zach Johnson — said he thought the one on Thursday was more impressive given the different conditions to Augusta.
“Well, that was real,” said Oosthuizen after he came in with a level par 71.
“I just used all the elements. No, both were pretty good shots.
“Just Augusta, you can hit it anywhere out the right and there are a few ways to do it. This was a proper golf hit straight in it.”
Oosthuizen, who has also finished runner-up in the 2012 Masters and last year’s US Open, said he didn’t realise he’d made a hole-in-one till he heard the reaction of the crowd on the 14th.
“Yeah, I mean, the wind is a little out the left,” said Oosthuizen.
“But I turned it over quite nice. I thought it was just going to be right of it, and next thing I just saw it up against the flag and obviously the crowd going crazy.
“So that’s always a great feeling anytime you get a 1.”
Oosthuizen gave due credit to his caddie for giving him spot on advice about the club to use. “I was thinking a little 5 maybe and the caddie convinced me it’s just a normal 9, 6-iron,” said Oosthuizen.
“It will easily cover the front and just make a good swing. Don’t try anything hard, and I did that. So I’ve got to give him a little credit for that, for talking me into that 6-iron.”
Oosthuizen acknowledged his caddie had realised he’d hit a hole-in-one before he had.
“He did, he did,” said Oosthuizen.
“When it was in there he said, oh, that’s a one.”
