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Oosthuizen back in business

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa watches his tee shot on the 9th hole during previews ahead of the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth at Lake Karrinyup Country Club on February 15, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
  • Post published:February 15, 2017

Louis Oosthuizen returns to Lake Karrinyup Golf Club with fond memories of his 2016 victory in the Perth International, which has been replaced a by a new tournament format.

Dubbed the World Super 6, the four-day tournament begins in regulation fashion, with 156 players aiming to make the 36-hole stroke play cut. On Saturday the field will play for position before a further cut to 24 players for the Sunday action, which is a six-hole matchplay showdown. Pairings will be randomly drawn.

Ties will be decided by sudden death holes, and the leading eight players at the end of Saturday’s play will receive a bye and go straight into the second round of matchplay.

All knockout matches will be played over six holes, being the tenth (par four), second (par four), eighth (par three), 11th (par five), 12th (par three) and 18th (par four). These are subject to change.

‘It would definitely be nice to have a good weekend here,’ said Oosthuizen. ‘I think the tough part is going to be you’re not going to have 18 holes in the matchplay, you only have six.’

His good memories of the course, including a Friday round of 64 last year, will be crucial in getting through the first section of stroke play.

‘I love the golf course. Curious to see the way it’s set up now,’ he said. ‘I think it’s a mindset thing where you’ve got to realise the stroke play, that it’s just to qualify to get to Sunday. You can have a five‑shot lead and lose your first round in matchplay and off home you go.’

The 2010 Open Champion finished third at the Waste Management Phoenix Open a fortnight ago and is clearly swinging well.

The new format presents some challenges, but Oosthuizen’s timeless ability makes him a contender for the title.

‘I’m very curious to see on Sunday how everyone plays and how it’s going to happen, but I’m looking forward to it. I think golf needs changes and it’s great to just see people coming up with new ideas,’ he concluded.