Whatshot
Louis digs in to lead Volvo Golf Champions
Louis digs in to lead Volvo Golf Champions
Date: 2013-01-17
Oosthuizen shot an incredible 64 to lead the European Tour's Volvo Golf Champions on 12 under par at Durban Country Club on Friday. It was also good enough to see him win the pro-am with his amateur partner, Colin Ledwith from England. That meant he won a Volvo V40 for his efforts. But a luxury car can't really help a farm boy.
And that's when Volvo agreed to swop the car for the excavator Oosthuizen lost his heart to when he first laid eyes upon it at the Volvo China Open two years ago.
"It's a great gift for the farm and it's going to be a lot of fun playing around with it," said Oosthuizen.
"I've got loads of great equipment on the farm, but this is going to be right up there. I've been nagging my wife for about two years that I want something like this on my farm to get rid of a few bushes. I had a few discussions with Volvo this week about purchasing the excavator. They told me I could get it if I won the pro-am and the car, so I knew all about that as I stood over that final putt on 18."
Oosthuizen needed his birdie putt on 18 to help his team to victory in the pro-am. And there was the added bonus of leading the tournament as well.
Oosthuizen is one stroke clear of Scott Jamieson, who also shot a 64, and first round leader Thongchai Jaidee, who posted a 68.
It was another tough day of rain and a delayed start because of a waterlogged course. But Oosthuizen's brilliant ball striking overcame all of those difficulties.
"It hit the ball really well and I putted beautifully. Nobody likes playing in these kinds of conditions, but we knew it was going to be a day like this."
Jamieson is certainly proving he doesn't mind a bit of water with his golf. The Scot won the Nelson Mandela Championship at nearby Royal Durban Golf Club late last year in similarly wet weather.
"I don't know what it is, but I'm hoping it's not temporary and it's here to stay. But after winning I'm a bit more comfortable at this level so I'm looking forward to the weekend," he said.
Ernie Els goes into the weekend in a share of 10th place on four under following a 72.