IT was a sobering experience for South African Louis Oosthuizen, as he not only avenged his Agusta defeat, but also pocketed a cool US$416,660 with came with his winning score of 17 under 271 in the Maybank Malaysian Open at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club yesterday.There was never a doubt that he is going to slip, or that there will be a play-off to determine the winner, as the South African was fully focused at the task at hand.
Scotsman Stephen Gallacher carded a battling 70 for second place while American David Lipsky, winner of the Cambodian Classic last month, finished joint third and two shots back after a 70 alongside Danny Willett of England (71) and Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello (71).
Former Asian Tour number ones Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa of India were the best placed Asians in tied 11th place in the US$2.5 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
"It was important for me to come here and put up a good fight after last week. Last week was tough and that kind of a result always takes abit out of you," said Oosthuizen.
And having his family along was just the right tonic he needed to overcome a 30-hour flight jet-lag.
"Having the family here this week was unbelievable. They were meant to fly to South Africa from Augusta but my wife said she she wanted to come here even though she knew she was in for a tough one with the kids!
"But it was just great, it always is. It is always nice to have your little girl waiting on you when you come off the 18th to give you a hug. And it doesn't matter if you have played good or bad, she just wants that hug," said Oosthuizen.
His wake-up call was when he missed a short putt for par on the sixth: "I kind of woke up again and refocused and started to make better shots and played really well on the back-nine."
Oosthuizen, who received the Seagram Trophy from Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak and also the champion’s navy blue jacket, said: “It would have been better if I had the green jacket (laughter) but I’m a little bit surprise because I thought I would be tired. I played well and the game was there so it made it a lot easier. I had a good week.”
A distant four shots behind was Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, who was never really a worrying factor for the leader in the back nine chase.
"I'm pleased with myself, as I only had a couple of bogies this the week and even threw in a shot as well which wasn't there!," said Gallacher who signed for the wrong score in the morning third round, with a 69 when he had a 68 and it stood.
He paid tribute to the phenomenal show from the South African.
"It was a super show from Oosthuizen considering what he went through last week. I thought he might get tired today and obviously he isn't. He is a fit guy and fair play to him."
