Louis Oosthuizen gives nod of approval to World Super6's experimental format
There could be little doubt that the winner, Brett Rumford, would lend his approval to the European Tour’s innovative format at the World Super6 in Perth, Australia. But the fact Louis Oosthuizen also gave the experimental hybrid system his thumbs up surely proved it was a success.
Oosthuizen, the world No 25, was beaten in the quarter-finals by the unheralded Australian Adam Bland and eventually finished fifth. Yet despite having seen his chance of a first title of the year come to end on a 66-meter shootout hole, the 2010 Open champion was full of praise for the hybrid strokeplay-matchplay format.
"I think they've got a good concept,” Oosthuizen said. "I think a few tweaks here and there would make it really good, but it's nerve-racking standing on that little 66-metre hole. It's nice pressure and good fun."
Ooshuizen was lying in a tie for second after 54 holes of strokeplay, but the only advantage he had to show for his fine form over the three rounds was a bye into the second round of the Sunday six-hole matchplay knockout stages. The top eight of the 24 qualifiers were allowed to sit out the first round, but in the event, it did Oosthuzein little good as Bland beat him on the third extra hole, which was contested from a special tee to the 18th green.
However, Bland’s run came to an end when Rumford beat him by one hole. It was just left for Rumford to account for the Thai teenager Phachara Khongwatmai 2&1 in the final and the inaugural Super6 event had its worthy winner. Rumford had taken a five-shot lead in the strokeplay part of the tournament and it would have seemed unjust if he had not prevailed.
"It's amazing, particularly being a new format, the first winner of that," Rumford said. "Golf is bigger than one person. If it's going to grow the game and it's more than just a golf tournament and it becomes an event in which we're trying to grow this sport with a bit more thrill and excitement about it, then I think as a Tour we've done a great job.”
For Rumford, this was such a welcome win in his home city. The 39-year-old lost his European Tour playing privileges last year, but now has his card for the next two seasons.
"It's great to be back. I've done a lot of reflection these past few months after last year,” he said. “I had a tough year and didn't see my family that much, only four weeks in six months. It was a gruelling six months but I'm back and I couldn't be happier."
