Oosthuizen set for Castle Stuart
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A HIGH-QUALITY field was one of the major attractions for former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen as he confirmed his attendance at this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
The South African, who triumphed by seven strokes at on the 150th anniversary of the Open at St Andrews in 2010, will come to Castle Stuart next month in great form.
Oosthuizen came agonisingly close to adding a second major title to his trophy cabinet at Augusta National last month only to lose out in a sudden-death play-off to Bubba Watson after the American left-hander’s miraculous approach to the second extra hole enabled him to claim the coveted Green Jacket ahead of the 29-year-old.
He did, however, manage to create his own piece of golfing history during the final round of the Masters with a wonderful four-iron approach to the par five second hole that landed on the front edge of the sloping green and tracked all the way to hole for the first albatross ever recorded on Augusta’s second hole — only the fourth in the tournament’s history.
Now, as the European Tour prepares for an enthralling summer of golf, Oosthuizen will soon turn his attention to Castle Stuart as he seeks to hone his links golf skills for two weeks of world class competition, firstly at the Scottish Open before the prestigious Open Championship at Royal Lytham St Anne’s.
"I’m delighted to be playing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart," said Oosthuizen, who produced the perfect response to his Augusta heartache by winning the Maybank Malaysian Open just seven days after the Masters.
"Playing at Castle Stuart the week before the Open makes the Scottish Open an important tournament for a few reasons.
"Playing on a links course will be great preparation for so many of the little knock-down and feel shots that you will be looking to use at the Open, and the fact that the Scottish Open will have a real quality field means you will be able to be really competitive the week before the Open.
"One of the reasons I played so well at the Masters was because I was so competitive in Houston the week before. I finished third in Houston and was able to take that form and confidence to Augusta. I will be looking to do exactly the same again at the Scottish Open."
Oosthuizen will join world number one and defending champion Luke Donald at the £2.5 million Scottish Open at Castle Stuart between 12-15th July.
Also confirmed in the field is three-time major champion Padraig Harrington, of Ireland, along with leading Scots Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird.
