Louis Oosthuizen arrived at the Malaysian Open safe in the knowledge he could not have done anything differently at the Masters. The South African came within a whisker is claiming the green jacket at Augusta only to lose in a play-off to American Bubba Watson late on Sunday.
A year ago it was the turn of his compatriot and friend Charl Schwratzel to make the lmng jersey to Kual Lumpur. However he did so with the Green jacket
His companion on that journey was Rory McIlroy, who after leading the toutnament for 63 holes falterd badly on the 10th tee box.
Twelve months on it is the 2010 British Open champion who spent much of the 30-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur
reflecting on what might have been, something he is not beating himself up over.
reflecting on what might have been, something he is not beating himself up over.
Oosthuizen admits the near-miss will be tough to get over initially, however, he insists he gave everything and does not feel anything was frittered away.
admits the near-miss will be tough to get over initially, however, he insists he gave everything and does not feel anything was frittered away.
"Every second on the flight I was thinking about what I would have done different," explained Oosthuizen.
"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."
Both South Afrcians will look to bounce back from their Masters disappointment together after being paired for the opening two rounds of this week's Maybank Malaysian Open.