FROM TEE TO GREEN
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From Tee to Green Louis Oosthuizen.
Charl Schwartzel.
World Cup dream for Schwartzel, Oosthuizen
C
harl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen will realise a shared dream when they represent South Africa in the World Cup of Golf in China in November. “We are really excited about it,” said Schwartzel, who as the highest ranked South African on the Official World Golf Ranking at the cut-off point on July 18 was in a position to nominate his playing partner. He didn’t think twice about selecting Oosthuizen. “We’ve both come a long way and are good friends, having played a lot of junior, amateur and now professional golf together. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a dream come true for both of us to play together and represent South Africa in the World Cup,” said Schwartzel. “We won the World Junior Team Championship in Japan in 2000 so it would be quite something if we can pull off the ‘double’ as professionals.” “I can’t wait to get to China,” added Oosthuizen. “I remember when we were
boys growing up and playing golf together, we always talked about playing for South Africa in the World Cup and, if possible, playing our first one together. “So it was great that Charl was in a position to choose his partner and he picked me. I am honoured to play with him. He is such a good friend and I think the two of us will make a great team. We played a lot of amateur golf together and have won together in both India and Japan for South Africa so I think we will have a good week.” The duo will be hunting a sixth South African victory in the World Cup. Only the United States have won the title more times. Gary Player and Harold Henning set the ball rolling for South Africa in 1965 followed by Dale Hayes and Bobby Cole in 1974. More recently, Ernie Els and Wayne Westner triumphed on home soil in 1996 – winning at Erinvale by a record 18 strokes – while Els was successful again in 2001 with Retief Goosen before Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini struck gold in 2003.