The former Open champion made his return from a lingering back injury at the tournament and afterwards conceded he was still playing with the niggle. However, he was determined to finish the season on a positive note before turning his attention to getting his health back on track.

Oosthuizen carded three-under-par for the tournament as the all-South African Southern Guards team signed off their historic, up-and-down season with a sixth-place finish in the team competition.

Louis Oosthuizen. Photo: LIV Golf

The South African said he had considered withdrawing at various stages in Indianapolis and allowing Martin Vorster to take over as a replacement, but was ultimately thrilled to get through all 72 holes.

“A sigh of relief. Bonus that I finished it. I didn’t think I was going to play, so big bonus,” said Oosthuizen.

“I was obviously not close to being ready to play golf, but muscled through it. It was the last one of the season.”

“I’ve got four months off if I want to after this. So, I felt I probably couldn’t hurt it more than what it was, and so I just gave it a shot.

“It wasn’t pretty sometimes, but I’m just happy to get it done and that we got it through.”

Oosthuizen added it had been a challenging season and, on a personal level, there were few real highlights. However, bringing the LIV Golf tournament to South Africa for the first time was something he and his teammates were immensely proud of, despite the numerous roadblocks they encountered along the way.

Dean Burmester. Photo: LIV Golf

“I have no highlights golf-wise, but I felt that bringing the tournament to South Africa was probably one of the best things I’ve done in my career,” Oosthuizen added.

“You know, it took quite a few decisions and, sort of, probably not destroying, but not having a lot of people that you thought were going to have your back. They didn’t have your back.

“But yeah, at the end of the day, it was for the people of South Africa, and I think it was a great success. So, that to me is one of the best things – well, that is the best thing that came out this year.”Branden Grace. Photo: LIV Golf

“Golfing-wise, I was very poor. I need to really work on my game in the offseason, but I’m first going to get this back strong and see how I can go from there.

“I don’t think there was an event, except for South Africa, that we really picked up our game, and that was purely the people that got us to really pick up our game. The crowd got us to pick up our game, and we had a good shot there. Other than that, it doesn’t help if your captain is not playing his best and four scores to count. Everyone needs to play well.•

Looking back on the team’s campaign, Oosthuizen described it as an inconsistent season, while admitting he would have relished the opportunity to compete for a team championship if one had been on offer.

Charl Schwartzel. Photo: LIV Golf

“It was sort of an iffy season, I think, as a team. We were looking forward to the team championship, if there was one, because I feel we’re really strong in match play. But again, I wouldn’t have even known if I would play, the way I’m feeling right now.

“But anyway, it was great bringing the tournament to SA, and fingers crossed that everything goes on next year and that the four of us are on the same team.”

There is also uncertainty surrounding the future of LIV Golf and what it could mean for the players, but Oosthuizen expects greater clarity in the coming weeks.

Martin Vorster. Photo: LIV Golf

If everything falls into place, he hopes to return to Steyn City in South Africa in 2027.

“I know everyone is asking, what about next year? To be honest with you, we as players also don’t know what’s going on,” Oosthuizen added.

“We’ll probably know in the next few weeks. It’s a few big weeks for us to make some decisions and what’s going on, but if it works out, we’ll be back at Steyn City next year.”

The former Bloemfontein professional Dean Burmester was the highest-placed South African in the individual championship, finishing 17th overall, while Branden Grace ended the season in 18th place.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg