AFTER PLAY-OFF heartbreak at the Masters, Louis Oosthuizen spent every minute of his near 30-hour journey to Malaysia thinking about what more he could have done at Augusta.
The 2010 British Open champion lost on the second extra hole to Bubba Watson at the Masters late on Sunday before making the lengthy journey across continents to compete in the European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned Malaysian Open.
With his compatriot, friend and 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel alongside him, the weary South African said yesterday the long journey had allowed him time to reflect on his green jacket near miss.
“Every second on the flight I was thinking about what I would have done different,” the 29-year-old said at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
“But I think there probably isn’t much I would have done different. I felt like I gave it my all, didn’t throw anything away, played the best I probably could have coming down the stretch in a major and I was outplayed.
“Being that close to the green jacket is tough to get over it immediately but I think time will heal it and it just gives me a bit more confidence when I put it on eventually that I will be over it.”
Schwartzel said he had been a nervous watcher of the final round action and was full of praise for his friend, though he thought it best keep Masters talk to a minimum on the flight.
“We have known each other for a long time and you know what a player feels like so sometimes you just don’t have to say anything, you know what he is going through,” Schwartzel said.
“He is the type of guy that seems to get over things a little bit quicker and like I said, sometimes you don’t have to say anything you just have to be a friend. It would have been quite a story if that had happened (Oosthuizen winning).”
Matteo Manassero, meanwhile, hopes history will repeat itself when the tournament gets under way today. The 18-year-old Italian returns to the course which saw him secure his second European Tour win last year, hoping to build on that success.
“Winning here last year was very important for me,” said Manassero. “It was my second victory, and after your first one you think that you need another one to prove to yourself and everyone that you can do it again and again.”
Just two Irish golfers tee in up in Malaysia, with Peter Lawrie and Michael Hoey going in search of the €314,700 first prize at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
MALAYSIAN OPEN
Course: Kuala Lumpur Golf Country Club, Kuala Lumpur
Prize money: €1.91 million (€314,700 to the winner)
Length: 7,000 yards.
Par: 72
Field: 156
The layout: Toughened in response to low scoring in the augural event in 2006, with bunkers added and several tees pushed back . Only seven players under par last year. Water in play on second, fifth, ninth, 10th-12th, 14th-17th; 18th is 634 yards long
Defending champion: Matteo Manassero
Type of player suited to challenge: Patient, strong enough to deal with sauna-like conditions. Key attribute: Accuracy
Weather forecast: Thunderstorms forecast
On TV: Sky Sports 1 from 7am
