ST. ANDREWS, Scotland, July 18 (UPI) -- South African Louis Oosthuizen completed a no-suspense victory at the British Open Sunday, carding a 1-under 71 to win his first major event by seven strokes.
Oosthuizen ended the day on St. Andrews' Old Course at 16-under-par 272, dominating the field and easily besting Lee Westwood's 9-under 279.
Oosthuizen, 27, became the fourth South African to win the British Open, adding his name to a list that includes Bobby Locke, Gary Player and Ernie Els.
Entering the day with a four-stroke lead, Paul Casey briefly pulled to within three strokes after the South African stumbled to a bogey on the eighth hole. But Oosthuizen immediately made up for it by eagling the ninth.
After a birdie on the 12th hole, he was eight strokes clear of the field and on his way to an impressive win.
Westwood (70) ended alone in second place. Casey, meanwhile, went on to card a 3-over 75, leaving him him tied for third with Henrik Stenson (71) and first-round leader Rory McIlroy (68).
World No. 1 Tiger Woods shot an even-par 72 Sunday, good for a 23rd-place tie at 3-under. Second-ranked Phil Mickelson stumbled to a 3-over 75, finishing tied for 48th at 1-over.
