Oosthuizen would be fourth winner from his country, twice as many as from any other nation
If Louis Oosthuizen were to capture this Masters he would be the third player from South Africa in the last five years to win and fourth overall – twice as many as any other foreign country has produced. The only other country with more than one Masters winner is Spain: Seve Ballesteros (1980, ’83) and Jose Maria Olazabal (1994, ’99).
South Africa’s hold on the Masters is especially noteworthy considering its second greatest golfer, Ernie Els, has yet to win at Augusta. Its greatest golfer, Gary Player, won Masters titles in 1961. ’74, and ‘78. Charl Schwartzel won last year and Trevor Immelman in 2007.
The country’s population is 50 million, but only 5 million are white, roughly the same population as Maryland.
