British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen will make his debut in the 2011 Africa Open, making him the third Major champion to tee it up in this tournament.
Oosthuizen has confirmed that he will start his 2011 season in the €1-million tournament at East London Golf Club from 6-9 January, and which is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour.
His presence makes for a strong field that will also include double US Open champion and 2009 Africa Open champion Retief Goosen, defending champion Charl Schwartzel, former Ryder Cup star and the 2010 European team’s vice-captain Darren Clarke, 2008 Africa Open champion Shaun Norris, and talented English professional Chris Wood.
“I decided not to go and play the two tournaments in Hawaii because that won’t leave me with enough off time before the start of the new season,” said Oosthuizen, who follows Major winners Goosen and Angel Cabrera as having played in this tournament.
“I’ve never played in the Africa Open so I’m really looking forward to it. And the conditions are likely to be windy, which I like. I played the East London Golf Club course as an amateur, so I don’t remember too much about it. I remember the 18th and second holes, and I also remember it as being a fair test with plenty of birdie opportunities but also a lot of bogey opportunities.”
“And it will be nice for me to spend another week playing at home in South Africa before I start travelling.”
Following the Africa Open, Oosthuizen will embark on a demanding schedule that will see him divide his playing time between the PGA Tour, of which he is a new member, and the European Tour.
