Two South Africans to Play on PGA Tour in 2011


Reigning British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and fellow South African Charl Schwartzel will play on the PGA Tour in 2011.

According to a report on PGATour.com (http://www.pgatour.com/2010/r/11/22/oosthuizen-schwartzel/), the two players qualified for the Tour through the normal channels. Oosthuizen automatically qualified for 2011 after winning the Open Championship at St. Andrews, while Schwartzel earned enough money as a non-member in 2010 to finish among the top-125 on the money list and be eligible as well.

In addition to his seven-stroke victory over Lee Westwood at the Old Course, the 28-year-old Oosthuizen, ranked No. 23 in the World Golf Ranking, won the Open de Andalucia de Golf on the European Tour.

Oosthuizen, whose nickname is "Shrek," has been sidelined by torn ankle ligaments since fall. He returned to action at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China - wearing a brace - and is expected to participate in this week's Dubai World Championship, the season-ending event on the European Tour.

Schwartzel, ranked No. 37 in the world, has won five times on the European Tour, including twice this year. The 26-year-old finished second to countryman Ernie Els at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship at Doral in Florida in March.

Both Oosthuizen and the 26-year-old Schwartzel are products of the junior program of the Ernie Els Foundation in South Africa.