Louis Oosthuizen wins Volvo Golf Champions

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen closed with a superb 66 at Durban Country Club to win the Volvo Golf Champions by a single shot from Scott Jamieson of Scotland.

Louis Oosthuizen wins Volvo Champions (Getty Images)
Fergus Bisset
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South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen closed with a superb 66 at Durban Country Club to win the Volvo Golf Champions by a single shot from Scott Jamieson of Scotland.

Oosthuizen began the final round five shots behind the Scot, but he applied the pressure early with a string of birdies on the front nine. Jamieson couldn't respond and the South African was able to claim a sixth European Tour title, one that elevates him to a career-high of fourth on the Official World Golf Ranking.

"It was a great week, and it's a great start to the year," said the 30-year-old.

Jamieson was looking to add a second European Tour title to the one he picked up at the Nelson Mandela Championship last December. But his hopes were somewhat derailed by a double bogey on the fifth hole.

Still, he had a chance on the final hole to force a playoff, needing an eagle on the driveable par 4. His chip for a two looked to have a chance but it stopped agonisingly short, just a couple of inches from the cup.

"I gave it my all," he said. "Louis is a Major champion and there's no shame in losing to him.

Jamieson should move up to around 70th on the Official World Golf Ranking and will now be looking towards making the top-50 by the end of March in order to secure a start at the US Masters.

First round leader in Durban, Thongchai Jaidee, finished strongly with a 68 to end the week alone in third, two ahead of Ireland's Padraig Harrington who was fourth.

Volvo Golf Champions Durban Country Club, Durban, South Africa Jan 10-13, purse €2,000,000 par 72

1   Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)   68   64   74   66   272   €350,000 2   Scott Jamieson (Sco)   69   64   68   72   273   €226,300 3   Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)   65   68   73   68   274   €131,300 4   Padraig Harrington (Ire) 70   71   67   68   276   €111,300 T5   Julian Quesne (Fra)   72   67   67   71   277   €87,850 T5   Danny Willett (Eng)   69   70   70   68   277   €87,850 T7   Branden Grace (RSA)   75   67   69   67   278   €66,400 T7   Paul Lawrie (Sco)      69   70   70   69   278   €66,400 T9   Thomas Bjorn (Den)   69   70   72   68   279   €45,357 T9   Rafa Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 72   69   70   68   279   €45,357 T9   Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel)   73   67   71   68   279   €45,357 T9   Shane Lowry (Ire)   70   69   70   70   279   €45,357 T9   Matteo Manassero (Ita)   75   69   66   69   279   €45,357 T9   Francesco Molinari (Ita)   70   70   68   71   279   €45,357 T9   Richie Ramsay (Sco)   69   73   70   67   279   €45,357

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage Where next? PGA Tour - Russell Henley wins Sony Open in Hawaii

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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