By Mark Lamport-Stokes
AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 6 (Reuters) – Former British Open
champion Louis Oosthuizen found himself in welcome foreign
territory when he made the cut for the first time in four
attempts at the Masters on Friday.
The South African began the second round tied for second but
dropped three shots in the first five holes to slide backwards
before recovering with a storming run over the closing stretch.
Oosthuizen, who showed good form at last week’s Houston Open
where he finished third, birdied three of the last five holes at
Augusta National for a level-par 72 to lie joint third at four
under.
“You know, it’s a weird spot for me to be in to be third,”
the 29-year-old told reporters after clawing his way back into
contention on a tricky day for scoring.
“I normally was busy changing (air) tickets to get back
home,” he smiled, referring to his missed Masters cuts in 2009,
2010 and last year. “It’s a nice spot to be in.”
Oosthuizen, who romped to a seven-stroke victory in the 2010
British Open, felt his strong showing in Houston, where he led
after 54 holes, had been key to his success so far this week.
“I’ve never previously come into this tournament playing
really well,” he said. “This is probably the first one I came in
feeling confident, the way I swing it and the way I’m hitting
the ball.
“So it makes a huge difference. I felt great coming out of
the tournament (in Houston). I hit it well all week.”
Continued…
