SANDWICH - Former champion Louis Oosthuizen said he was off to the "perfect start" in his quest to end a long-wait for a second major title after a six under par 64 fired him into a first-round lead at the British Open on Thursday.
The South African has finished second at both this year's US PGA Championship and US Open, taking his total tally of runners-up places in major tournaments to six.
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US-based South African Dylan Frittelli is two shots back alongside Canadian Mackenzie Hughesand veteran American Stewart Cink, another former champion.
Brian Harman matched his compatriot Jordan Spieth with a 65 to share second place for the moment.
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Among the other SA morning starters, Justin Harding signed for an opening three-under 67, while Christiaan Bezuidenhout carded a solid opening two-under 68. Dean Burmester shot level par 70 and JC Ritchie carded one-over 71.
Jaco Ahlers, who tied off with the afternoon wave of players, also shot a two-under 68.
"Probably in my mind, the perfect round I could have played," said Oosthuizen after his opening 18 holes at Royal St George's in Sandwich, southeast England.
"I didn't make many mistakes. When I had good opportunities for birdie, I made the putts. So just a very good solid round."
After starting off with seven straight pars, world number 13 Oosthuizen found his groove around the turn with birdies at eight, nine and 10.
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He picked up three more shots on the back nine to complete a bogey-free round and finish seven shots clear of playing partners Jon Rahm, the pre-tournament favourite, and defending champion Shane Lowry.
"I've learnt over the years playing major championships that patience is the key thing, and even if you make bogeys, know that a lot of people are going to make bogeys, added Oosthuizen, who won the British Open at St Andrews in 2010.
A superb 64 for the Champion Golfer of 2010, @Louis57TM 👏
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 15, 2021
See if anyone can catch Louis on our live blog 👉https://t.co/xYY44zj43t#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/e2sHYbsXMp
"I was just very patient. I was trying to just hit my shots and didn't really hit anything close enough to make birdies those first few holes.
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"Then all of a sudden just made two good putts on eight and nine and got the ball rolling.
"It happened quickly, but you still need to put yourself in those positions, and I felt definitely the last 11 holes I gave myself a lot of opportunities."
AFP
