Louis Oosthuizen, born on October 19, 1982, in Mossel Bay, South Africa, is a professional golfer known for his smooth swing and calm demeanor. He grew up on a farm in the Western Cape and developed his game with support from the Ernie Els Foundation during his teenage years. Oosthuizen turned professional in 2002 after a remarkable amateur career that included winning the 2000 World Junior Championship and the 2002 Irish Amateur Open. At age 19, he famously shot a 57 at his home Mossel Bay Golf Club, a feat that inspired his personal brand, “Louis 57”[1][2][3]. Oosthuizen initially competed on the Sunshine Tour and then the European Tour, where he achieved his first significant success by winning the Andalucia de Golf Open in 2010. His career highlight came in July 2010 when he won The Open Championship at St Andrews by a commanding seven-stroke margin, becoming only the second South African to win The Open at that venue. He has also finished runner-up in all four major championships, showcasing consistent performance at the highest level of golf[2][4]. Throughout his career, Oosthuizen has amassed 14 professional wins worldwide, including 11 on the DP World Tour, and has represented South Africa in international competitions such as the Presidents Cup. He reached a career-high world ranking of No. 4 in January 2013 and maintained a Top 50 world ranking for over a decade[2][4]. In recent years, Oosthuizen has played on the LIV Golf tour, joining fellow South African Charl Schwartzel on the Stinger GC team. He resides between South Africa and Florida, balancing his professional golf career with his passion for farming[1][3]. As of 2025, Oosthuizen remains an active competitor, valued for his experience and steady play in professional golf circuits globally[5].