Golf: Oosthuizen vaults into share of lead

Louis Oosthuizen missed the event last year after tearing ankle ligaments. Photo / AP

Louis Oosthuizen staked a claim for more glory at the home of golf yesterday, grabbing a share of the first round lead at the Dunhill Links Championship.

The South African lifted his major title at St Andrews in 2010 with victory in the British Open, and fired his way into contention with a six-under opening round 66.

It was a satisfying day's work for Oosthuizen, who was forced to miss the Pro-Am event last year after tearing ankle ligaments in a hunting accident.

"I couldn't watch this event last year on TV, I was too upset I wasn't there," said Oosthuizen, who heads the leaderboard with Austrian Markus Brier, Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey.

"It's nice to come back and experience everything again. It was good fun playing a practice round at St Andrews yesterday with my brother.

"I suffered the injury three weeks before the event last year and had no chance getting ready for it.

"There's nothing better than holding the Claret Jug at St Andrews. Hopefully at the end of the week it's just a different trophy."

The leaders will be nervously looking over their shoulders at Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, who is lurking just one shot off the pace after a 67.

After a stellar 2010 which witnessed his first major at the US Open and a dramatic match-winning contribution for Europe in the Ryder Cup, McDowell has struggled to find his best form this year.

However the 32-year-old Ulsterman, who was one of six players to finish the day at five under, said he was reaping the benefits of a decision to seek advice from former coach Clive Tucker.

"At the US PGA Championship things came to a head," McDowell said. "It was a bit of soul-searching and Clive was the answer, a guy that understands my game very well and was probably a lot to answer for why I played well in 2010."

The US$5 million event is being played on three courses, St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie.

- AAP