Flawless Oosthuizen storms to British Open victory (1st Lead)

By Ben James Jul 18, 2010, 18:45 GMT

St Andrews, Edinburgh - South African Louis Oosthuizen produced a brilliant performance to clinch his first Major title on Sunday as he stormed to a seven-shot victory in the British Open at St Andrews.

The 27-year-old demolished the field to finish on 16-under-par after a final-round of 71, 1-under-par, with Englishman Lee Westwood in second.

Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey all finished tied one shot further back in a tie for third but they were all blown away by Oosthuizen.

The South African began the day four shots clear of Casey and the margin was reduced to three when he bogeyed the eighth hole.

But a brilliant eagle at the par-four ninth settled any nerves and from then on he was almost flawless.

Casey's chances went with a triple-bogey seven at the 12th hole, while Oosthuizen birdied it to extend his lead.

The South African bogeyed the 17th hole but had plenty to spare and a par at the last helped him card a 71 for a total of 16-under-par.

Westwood, second in the US Masters, was second again after a 2-under-par 70, while McIlroy bounced back brilliantly from his second-round 80 to finish with a 68 to tie with Casey and Stenson for third.