(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Louis Oosthuizen believes there's a good chance of a fifth South African winner of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, to follow in the footsteps of defending champion Branden Grace, Retief Goosen (2007), Ernie Els (2005) and Darren Fichardt (2003).
The 33-year-old is looking to hit the ground running and turn his trademark January form into what could be his maiden victory in Qatar. The South African holds a remarkable record in his first event of the calendar year, winning back-to-back Africa Opens in 2011 and 2012 and following that with consecutive wins at the Volvo Golf Champions in 2013 and 2014.
A sixth-place finish at the WGC-Cadillac Championship kick-started his 2015 campaign and provided the platform for a season where Oosthuizen finished in a tie for second at both The Open Championship and the US Open Championship.
After an 'out of golf' festive break that included an annual family trip to the Namib Desert, a refreshed Oosthuizen feels he is in the right frame of mind for another good start to the year.
"It has been a good break. I didn't touch golf clubs since the Nedbank up until last week. Then the first round was very shaky, didn't make a birdie I think, if I can remember" but then sort of picked up quickly. After a good break, you want to go back out on the course again. You want to play, and I think a lot of times with the schedules we have these days, you lose that a bit, to be hungry again just to go out and play. Doesn't matter what you shoot. I got a bit of that back again after a big break," said the 2010 Open Championship winner.
Last year's 'so near yet so far' results at St Andrews and Chambers Bay has made his resolve stronger to go for another Major title, and the South African is hoping that a win in Qatar could be the starting point towards that goal.
"I'm ready to start the season. I like this golf course and I like playing in windy conditions. The 'desert swing' was a stretch that I always started my season with when I was fully playing on The European Tour, so I always love coming back here," said Oosthuizen, who was the runner-up here in 2009.
"I'm always working on improving some parts of my game. This year I want to get more in contention in a lot more tournaments. I felt like I've made a big step in the last year in the right direction with my body, getting everything sorted. I think now it's down to the golf and do more work. I had a taste of a second Major last year, and that really got me hungry to win a few more.
"I think it's a bonus if you get to a Major week and your game is on top form. That's what everyone tries to get to, and the really top guys do it every week, they get their game sharp for big events. So still need to get myself to that level. I feel the biggest thing for me is still consistency, but I'm moving in the right direction."
Oosthuizen's countryman Branden Grace comes into this week as defending champion off the back of four top-five finishes in his last five events, with the only result breaking that streak being a tie for eighth at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
Grace is also a renowned fast starter, with four of his six European Tour wins coming in the first two months of the season, and Oosthuizen believes his World No. 11 compatriot could well be the man to beat this year too.
"Branden loves playing in windy conditions. He grew up with it, as well. We grew up close to each other back in South Africa and he obviously likes this course. I'll never write him off; he's really become a player that's up there every week. He's a great putter. So if his ball-striking is on and he can find the greens, he's always in contention. I won't be surprised to see him right up on the leaderboard from the start," said Oosthuizen, who formed a winning partnership with Grace in October's Presidents Cup in Korea, where the South African pair won all four of their matches together, although the Internationals narrowly lost to the USA.
Oosthuizen also flagged up young compatriots Haydn Porteous and Brandon Stone, who each won their first European Tour title earlier this month. "We also have two young South African winners on the European Tour this season, Haydn and Brandon, which is great to see. I expect them to do well here, as I think the conditions will suit them."
Oosthuizen will play in one of the tournament's star-studded groups with four-time Major winner Els, his long-term friend and mentor, and Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee on the first two days.
Sergio Garcia, the 2014 champion, and Grace are the two highest-ranked players in the field and will play their first two rounds together with rising English star Matt Fitzpatrick.
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