Oosthuizen Rallies to Win Volvo Golf Champions


Local favorite Louis Oosthuizen overcame a five-stroke deficit to 54-hole leader Scott Jamieson by closing with a 6-under 66 to win the Volvo Golf Champions. The European Tour event reserved only for winners from the previous year took place at Durban Country Club in Durban, South Africa.

Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion who grew up in Mossel Bay, South Africa, carded seven birdies - including four on the front nine - and a bogey to finish at 16-under 272, one stroke ahead of Jamieson, who shot a 72.

Oosthuizen said the difference in his swing between the third and fourth rounds was like night and day. "Yesterday my swing felt long and loose; I couldn't fix it on the golf course for some reason," he told reporters. "Today I went out with a lot more concentration . . . and I hit the ball beautiful."

Despite losing on Sunday, Jamieson took solace in that the fellow who overtook him is pretty decent player. "Louis is a major champion - there's no shame in losing to him," said Jamieson. "I gave it my all, but it wasn't to be."

Besides, in the first three tournaments of the season Jamieson has finished first, third and second. "I'll take that - absolutely," he added.

First-round leader Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand (68) ended up in solo third at 14-under 274, while three-time major champion Padraig Harrington (68) of Ireland was in fourth at 276. Sharing fifth were England's Danny Willett (68) and Frenchman Julien Quesne (71).

South African Branden Grace, a four-time winner in 2012, shot a 67 to tie for seventh at 278 with Scotland's Paul Lawrie (69).

For all the scores, http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2013/tournamentid=2013003/leaderboard/index.html.