Michael Vlismas –
DURBAN (11 January 2013) – Louis Oosthuizen had to win a Major to get his tractor. But fortunately for the world number six, Volvo just wanted him to win a pro-am before adding to his farming machinery.

Oosthuizen shot an incredible 64 to lead the European Tour’s Volvo Golf Champions on 12 under par at Durban Country Club on Friday. It was also good enough to see him win the pro-am with his amateur partner, Colin Ledwith from England. That meant he won a Volvo V40 for his efforts. But a luxury car can’t really help a farm boy.
And that’s when Volvo agreed to swop the car for the excavator Oosthuizen lost his heart to when he first laid eyes upon it at the Volvo China Open two years ago.
“It’s a great gift for the farm and it’s going to be a lot of fun playing around with it,” said Oosthuizen.
“I’ve got loads of great equipment on the farm, but this is going to be right up there. I’ve been nagging my wife for about two years that I want something like this on my farm to get rid of a few bushes. I had a few discussions with Volvo this week about purchasing the excavator. They told me I could get it if I won the pro-am and the car, so I knew all about that as I stood over that final putt on 18.”
Oosthuizen needed his birdie putt on 18 to help his team to victory in the pro-am. And there was the added bonus of leading the tournament as well.
Oosthuizen is one stroke clear of Scott Jamieson, who also shot a 64, and first round leader Thongchai Jaidee, who posted a 68.
It was another tough day of rain and a delayed start because of a waterlogged course. But Oosthuizen’s brilliant ball striking overcame all of those difficulties.
“It hit the ball really well and I putted beautifully. Nobody likes playing in these kinds of conditions, but we knew it was going to be a day like this.”
Jamieson is certainly proving he doesn’t mind a bit of water with his golf. The Scot won the Nelson Mandela Championship at nearby Royal Durban Golf Club late last year in similarly wet weather.
“I don’t know what it is, but I’m hoping it’s not temporary and it’s here to stay. But after winning I’m a bit more comfortable at this level so I’m looking forward to the weekend,” he said.
Ernie Els goes into the weekend in a share of 10th place on four under following a 72.
Herewith the second round scores from the Volvo Golf Champions, played at the par-72 Durban Country Club. All competitors RSA unless otherwise specified:
132 Louis Oosthuizen 68 64
133 Scott Jamieson SCO 69 64; Thongchai Jaidee THA 65 68
139 Julien Quesne FRA 72 67; Thomas Bjorn DEN 69 70; Danny Willett ENG 69 70; Paul Lawrie SCO 69 70; Jeev Milkha Singh IND 69 70; Shane Lowry IRE 70 69
140 Nicolas Colsaerts BEL 73 67; Francesco Molinari ITA 70 70; Ernie ELS 68 72
141 Rafa Cabrera-Bello ESP 72 69; Jamie Donaldson WAL 69 72; Padraig Harrington IRE 70 71
142 Retief Goosen 72 70; Henrik Stenson SWE 72 70; Branden Grace 75 67; Richie Ramsay SCO 69 73
143 Paul Casey ENG 74 69; Darren Clarke N-IRE 75 68
144 Matteo Manassero ITA 75 69; Robert Rock ENG 70 74
145 Gonzalo Fdez-Castano ESP 75 70
146 Michael Hoey N-IRE 72 74; José María Olazabal ESP 74 72
147 Bernd Wiesberger AUS 76 71; Thorbjørn Olesen DEN 75 72
148 Darren Fichardt 78 70; Jbe Kruger 75 73; Marcel Siem GER 74 74
150 Colin Montgomerie SCO 72 78
152 Ricardo Santos POR 76 76