Louis Oosthuizen says he is looking forward to making his debut in the ISPS HANDA Perth International but the South African knows he faces a big challenge to tame the Lake Karrinyup course.
The 33-year-old makes the trip to Western Australia to compete in the event, which returns to the European Tour after a one-year break, for the very first time.
Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen won the tournament in 2014 after defeating Frenchman Victor Dubuisson by three strokes and the defending champion is a 19.00 chance to retain his title.
Oosthuizen will be hoping he can clinch an eighth win on the European circuit and his first success since triumphing in the Volvo Golf Champions tournament back in 2014.
The 2010 Open champion is the highest-ranked player in the field at world number 21 and he is the 10.00 favourite to win in Perth, slightly ahead of Dubuisson who is a 15.00 shot.
Oosthuizen has been in good form this season without adding to his trophy collection and the Mossel Bay-born star heads into the competition on the back of a strong showing at the Maybank Championship, where he finished tied for 12th.
The two-time Presidents Cup participant knows he will need to be on top form this week in order to win in Australia and he has highlighted the area that will be crucial for success.
“It’s definitely one where you can take it on off the tee and try and hit a few bombers down there,” he said. “Then you’ve got to be really careful on your second shots. You’ve got to place yourself in the right spots.”
Home favourite Brett Rumford will be hoping to give the crowd something to cheer about over the next four days and the 38-year-old is priced at 23.00 for the win.
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