Louis Oosthuizen

You've had a pretty good year – two wins and some close calls have reminded everyone of your playing ability. How have you felt the year has gone for you?

It’s probably been my best so far. Even better than last year and 2010. You know, last year it took a while for me to get over everything [after winning The Open in 2010]. I started well this season and I think Augusta took a lot out of me, so I took three weeks’ break on the farm where I didn’t really do anything and I lost a bit of form and rhythm. I got it back after the US Open – that’s when I felt I started playing better. I did well at FedEx, which was my first one. So yeah, I’m very happy with it.

Do you think it’s taken a bit of time for you to get comfortable on American soil? And playing on that tour?

Ja, it’s completely different to Europe. I mean, you need to be comfortable on very fast greens. I like European golf. The green speed and conditions are similar to South Africa – not the weather, but the golf itself, especially where I grew up, in Mossel Bay. In America, from 100 yards, you’ve got to be spot on with your game the whole time. And my putting has improved so much just being on the US Tour for the last two years. For my second year running my overall putting has improved and even though I don’t always make putts, I know I’m putting so much better. I’m leading the stats this year for putts from inside five feet, which is great. The tour is a lot easier in many ways, but a lot more competitive.

Every week you’re in the company of the likes of Tiger, Rory or any number of superstars. Are you able to take stock and look at how far you’ve come as a professional golfer?

I think once you play at a certain level, you don’t really even think about things like that. In 2010, I got up to 15th in the world rankings – I fell back a bit after that – but I got a feeling of what it’s like [near the top]. I knew I wanted to get back to that level.

I needed to win again to just get the game right and I won the Africa Open last year, but still had a very quiet season. When all the Majors started, I put a lot of pressure on myself – I almost felt I had to prove myself again, that [the Major win] wasn’t a fluke. But this year I’ve had the attitude that I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I’m just here to play and enjoy myself. I mean, when I came so close in the Masters, it was sad. It would have been a dream come true for me get the jacket from Charl [Schwartzel, Louis’ great friend]. I think if I look back, I was a lot more focused on what I was doing and not caring what everyone was thinking I was doing. So it was a good experience to put my head down and just play. And I managed to get into the top 10 of the world rankings this year.