Q & A with Louis Oosthuizen, 2012 Masters Runner-up

How does a hooked wedge shot trump a double eagle, the game’s rarest feat? Easy. If the former leads to a Masters victory as it did for Bubba Watson last April on the second playoff hole against Louis Oosthuizen. Earlier on that Sunday, South African Oosthuizen catapulted into the tournament lead and golf lore by registering an albatross—three under par— at the par-five second, the first double eagle on that hole in the Masters. However, the 2010 British Open champion ended the tournament tied with Watson and then lost in a sudden death playoff following Watson’s incredible shot out of the trees on the tenth hole. The following week Oosthuizen, 30, bounced back and won the Malaysian Open on the European Tour where he’s now won five times. Recently, he chatted with Terry Moore about his thoughts on last year’s Masters, his game and his upbringing in South Africa.

It must have been a challenge to keep your emotions in check after the double eagle on Sunday with so much of the tourney in front of you?

Yes, it took awhile to settle in because all of a sudden I’m leading the tournament. My whole mindset before then was to be patient and not get ahead of myself. I even considered the possibility of leading the tournament somewhere on the back nine, but not the first. But the galleries were great after the double eagle, congratulating me at each tee box.

Were you aware the patron who caught your historic ball as you walked off the second green ended up receiving two lifetime Masters badges and an opportunity to play Augusta National after he gave the ball to the club?

Yes, I was informed afterwards by Mr. Payne (Masters Chairman Billy Payne) that the gentleman would receive lifetime badges to the Masters and also have a golf day there. In fact, Mr. Payne actually returned the ball to me after the round; but I signed it and gave it back because I felt the ball should remain with the golf course. But I will always have the memory of that shot.

In the playoff against Bubba, you made some great putts that must have looked as if they were in the hole.

Yes, definitely. On the first putt on 18, I really thought I made it because I’ve been watching that particular putt for years on television. A number of players have had that putt to win. So I knew what it was going to do. I hit it exactly on the right line and it looked like it was going to fall right into the cup. Then a foot from the cup it stopped breaking and grazed the lip.

On the tenth hole when putting for par, I was under a lot of pressure to make it knowing Bubba was so close for birdie. That putt was so quick but I decided to hit it at normal speed, aim at the top side and just let it break inside the cup. Again, a foot from the cup it looked perfect and then it just broke below the hole.

What happened on your 3-wood tee shot off the tenth hole in the playoff? And did you consider hitting driver?

I was always planning on hitting a 3-wood there and turn it over like I had done throughout the week. I just simply hit on the heel and it didn’t get down the hill. So I left myself with a really long second shot. If I had hit my tee shot well it would have run down the hill leaving myself only a seven-iron.

How surprised were you when you saw Bubba’s second shot out of the trees find the green on the final hole of the playoff?

Actually, I wasn’t really sure what type of shot he had because I wanted to play my own game. But even seeing his shot on tape afterwards, I wouldn’t have played my shot any differently. And looking at his second shot, it was a perfect shot to hook it for a left-hander. A right-handed golfer would have simply chipped it out. Still it was one heckuva shot for Bubba to pull off.

Was it a natural gift for you to have such a model golf swing or did it take a lot of effort? And how do generate such impressive distance?

I would probably say my swing came together naturally. My coaches always wanted my arms and body to work together and in unison and that’s something I’ve worked on. My swing got better over the years by working with my coach. It never really changed in any major way. And in terms of my distance, it has a lot to do with timing and clubhead speed. Look at someone like Richard Sterne (European Tour). He’s only 5’7’’ and weighs 150 pounds but hits it 300 yards. His hands, arms and body all work in synch and that’s what I try to do.

During your Open Championship title romp at St. Andrews, you used a red dot on your glove to help you concentrate in your pre-shot routine? Are you still doing that?

No, I’m not using that method now. I needed it then because I was struggling with my pre-shot routine and needed something to keep me focused. It worked that week. My focus is better and more consistent now so I really don’t need it. Sometimes I go back to it but in different ways. But I’m always working on something, whether it be in a pre-shot routine or a particular swing cue.

Talk about growing up on a farm, getting involved in junior golf and the Ernie Els Foundation?

Actually, my brother started playing golf first and I followed him. I picked up a few clubs and just started playing. Not too long afterwards after seeing my interest in golf my dad took me to a professional coach and where I received a full set of clubs. I was on my way, thanks to the junior program. Later as a teenager I was helped by the Els Foundation with tournament expenses, travel and coaching. I drove each day from the farm to town and the golf course. I also had a little green on the farm but one year a flood came along and took it away. But it was a privilege to grow up on the farm and be in the open spaces. I’ve always been a ‘farm boy’ and still have a farm in South Africa.

How would you compare your game this year as opposed to last year at this time?

I would say they’re similar. It always takes a few weeks to get used to the conditions and courses over here. I’m working on a few things and they’re going well but we’ll see how they’ll turn out.