Louis Oosthuizen insisted he had no regrets as he finished second in a Major Championship for the sixth time at the 2021 U.S. Open.
The South African secured his place in the annals of the golfing greats with his victory at the 2010 Open Championship but since then he has endured a string of near misses in golf's biggest four events, losing two play-offs and finishing second twice in as many months this year.
On Sunday at Torrey Pines Golf Course, he held a one shot lead on the back nine but Jon Rahm birdied the 17th and 18th in spectacular style to leapfrog the 38-year-old and leave him needing some magic of his own.
Oosthuizen found a hazard off the tee at the 17th for a bogey and was forced to lay up on the par five last where he needed an eagle, eventually carding a birdie to finish a single shot behind Rahm.
"I'm second again," he said. "No, look, it's frustrating. It's disappointing. I'm playing good golf but winning a Major Championship is not just going to happen. You need to go out and play good golf. I played good today but I didn't play good enough.
I’ll keep knocking on that major door. Gave it my best and am thankful to the @USGA and @usopengolf for a great week. Enjoy the win, @JonRahmpga! Nothing like a major win on Father’s Day as a new dad. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/WlXjzDhX6R
— Louis Oosthuizen (@Louis57TM) June 21, 2021
"I definitely left a few putts or shots out there.
"I took the tee shot on at 17 and I knew it was a crucial hole for me to take it on and give myself a birdie opportunity. I didn't pull it off but standing on that tee again, I'll probably do the same thing, taking a driver and taking the shot on.
"I feel like I had my shots, I went for it, and that's what you have to do to win Majors. Sometimes it goes your way and other times it doesn't.
"I played good, just fell a little short again. It was Jon played a great round of golf, four under today on that golf course is a really good score."
