Chalk it up as another victory for LIV Golf.
Not only did the Saudi-backed circuit score a big win by signing Jon Rahm last week, but the league now has four straight winners on the DP World Tour after this week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen emerged victorious at Leopard Creek Country Club, where weather delayed the final round into Monday. He carded a final round 3-under 69 to win by two shots over fellow South African Charl Schwartzel.
“This is one of the tournaments that I’ve always wanted to win,” Oosthuizen said after the win.
“The golf course was unbelievable. I can’t believe we got a fourth round in with everything we got. It’s such a great place to come to, and this is a tournament that I really, really wanted.”
Oosthuizen and Schwartzel, playing in the final pairing together, got seven holes in on Sunday before thunder and lightning suspended play for the remainder of the day.
The two major champions then had to play their final 11 holes on a saturated course on Monday. They were neck and neck for most of the morning, and then they arrived at the par-5 13th.
Oosthuizen made a long birdie putt, while Schwartzel made a par.
It was more of the same on the next hole, the par-4 14th. The 2010 Champion Golfer of the Year made another long birdie putt, while the 2011 Masters champion settled for another par.
Oosthuizen then made an easy birdie at the par-5 15th, thus extending his lead to three shots with three holes to play.
“I had a good run there through 13 to 15,” Oosthuizen said.
“I’m glad to see [Schwartzel] with all the things he was going through with his shoulder with injuries. He’s playing well, and I just got lucky on this one.”
The rest of the way, however, was not necessarily smooth sailing.
At the par-4 17th, Oosthuizen could not save par, and thus dropped a shot. So when he arrived at the par-5 18th, he held a two-shot lead over Schwartzel.
His drive then kicked off a tree and into the creek. The drama intensified across South Africa as Oosthuizen’s lead hung in the balance. Yet, he still managed to make a par, thus securing his 10th career DP World Tour victory—and his first in five years.
His playing partner, meanwhile, could not take advantage, as he, too, made a par on the 72nd hole. Schwartzel closed with a 1-under 71.
But it was another successful event for LIV Golf players.
Dean Burmester won the previous two events in South Africa, the Joburg Open and the South African Open. Then, in Australia, Chilean Joaquin Niemann fended off Min Woo Lee to win the Australian Open title.
Overall, LIV players have won four of five events to begin the 2024 season on the DP World Tour. The Saudi-backed circuit is winning on and off the course to close out 2023—perhaps the most tumultuous year in men’s professional golf history.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.