Golf

Louis Oosthuizen hits three eagles in 65 to take one-shot lead at Mauritius Open

South African looking for back-to-back wins on DP World Tour on a course he co-designed

Louis Oosthuizen plays his second shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Heritage La Reserve Golf Club in Bel Ombre, Mauritius. Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Louis Oosthuizen plays his second shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Heritage La Reserve Golf Club in Bel Ombre, Mauritius. Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Sat Dec 16 2023 - 14:05

Louis Oosthuizen made three eagles on the course he co-designed as he opened up a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

The South African is looking for back-to-back wins after his victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and carded a 65 to lead the way at 14 under from countryman Jacques P de Villiers.

He made eagles on the par-five fifth and 15th and chipped in on the drivable par-four sixth, while also missing a five-foot putt for another eagle on the par-five eighth.

“I think that was the first time I ever did three eagles in one round and I missed a short putt for eagle on eight,” said Oosthuizen, who could make it five victories for LIV Golf players in the opening six events of the DP World Tour season.

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“I was giving myself opportunities and I still feel like I’m rolling the ball good on the green, so hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.”

The 2010 Open champion designed the Heritage La Reserve layout alongside Peter Matkovich and admitted that brought its own pressure.

“It’s nerve-racking and exciting at the same time to come here as the co-designer but Peter has done a phenomenal job,” he added.

Oosthuizen also made four birdies and three bogeys to sit a shot ahead of De Villiers, who carded a 68.

England’s Laurie Canter – back on the DP World Tour after two seasons playing with LIV – carded a 65 to sit at 11 under, a shot clear of South Africans Jaco Prinsloo and Jayden Schaper.

“I’ve got myself back in the tournament today, that’s a great knock to get myself to 11 under,” said Canter, who is looking for a first DP World Tour victory.

“I think I’m probably going to need something around the same tomorrow to get myself in there but I’ve got a chance and that’s the most I could have hoped for at the beginning of today, so I’m delighted with that.”