South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen kisses the Claret Jug, the trophy for the Champion golfer of the year after winning the 139th British Open Golf Championship at St Andrews in Scotland The first thing Louis Oosthuizen did in his victory speech after winning the 2010 Open Championship, was wish Nelson Mandela a happy birthday. Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP
As The Open Championship teed off on Mandela Day on Thursday, it’s worth looking back at the 2010 edition when Louis Oosthuizen triumphed and wished the former president a happy birthday in his autumn years.
Oosthuizen, 27 at the time, was a shock winner of the tournament — having missed the cut in seven of his previous eight major appearances.
On a memorable final day, on July 18, 2010, Oosthuizen began the round with a four-shot lead. Though England’s Paul Casey closed the gap to three after the eighth hole, Oosthuizen would eventually romp to a seven-shot victory as he lapped the field.
In his victory speech, he made sure the first thing he did was wish Mandela a happy 92nd birthday.
“First of all I would like to take the opportunity to say happy birthday to Mr Nelson Mandela back in South Africa. He’s 92-years-old today, and just an amazing person,” said Oosthuizen.
“You know, I woke up this morning, and I didn't know it was his birthday today, but I saw it this morning on the news, on the internet.
“It felt a bit special, really, out there. And you know, when I walked down 18, I was thinking about his birthday, and then my manager also gave me a list of things, and it was also in there. So it worked out. What he's done for our country is unbelievable, so happy birthday to him once again.”
Oosthuizen later revealed that one of the things he would do with his substantial paycheque would be purchasing a tractor for his farm back home.
Eight South Africans are competing this week as Ernie Els leads the charge once more with Oosthuizen also hoping for a top finish. Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Dean Burmester, Thriston Lawrence, Ryan van Velzen, Darren Fichardt and amateur Altin van der Merwe complete the SA lineup.