EXCLUSIVE ….
Open Champion and fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen leads the chorus of approval for billionaire businessman Rohann Rupert in achieving a coming together of two golfing figures instrumental to any future calm in men’s pro golf.
Rupert, 74, is currently the CEO of Compagnie Financiere Richemonty. He is the richest person South African born on the 2024 Forbes list, with an estimated net worth of US$12.0 billion and US$14.5 billion according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
However, while men’s pro golf now deals in millions all it tood was air fares and accommodation, plus the guarantee of three rounds of golf on three of the best courses in Scotland to bring together two individuals at the heart of mending the many broken bridges in men’s pro golf.
American Billy Horschel will partner PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan while Oosthuizen’s fellow South African Dean Burmester is to partner Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Governor of the Public Investment Fund that supports the PGA Tour’s rival LIV league.
The four are set to tee-off from the 10th at Carnooustie at 9am local time tomorrow (Thursday October 2nd).
Fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen full of praise for Johann Rupert and his actions in bringing together this week PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan who will make his Dunhill Links debut playing alongside Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Governor of the Public Investment Fund that supports the PGA Tour’s rival league (Image – Getty)
Out in the second group at 9.11am will be Oosthuizen and Rupert along with Rory McIlroy and his father Gerry McIlroy.
“Johan is to be congratulated in helping bringing Yasi and Jay together this week”, said Oosthuizen.
“Johan was then superb in addressing the players and guests on Tuesday at the official welcome dinner here in St. Andrews, and speaking honestly and sincerely how the world is bordering on war yet golf’s warring factions cannot come together.
“Well, he’s brought together this week two key figures who can resolve this matter and they’re playing alongside each other for three days this week.
“It may be warm and friendly but then it may be very awkward but let’s hope that they do communicate and talk.
“Of course, we can’t expect anything coming out of the pair playing alongside each other these few days but then there’s sure to be a meeting off the couse and, if so, let’s hope it will add-up to men’s pro golf getting back to normality and back onto the same page”
The message from Oosthuizen ahead of what can only be described as one of the more unique four-balls in the recent sordid history of men’s pro golf.
And while Oosthuizen is full of praise for Rupert, Oosthuizen is also a veteran of four Presidents Cup encounters (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019) and, no doubt one day, will take ove the International Team captaincy reins.
“I really enjoyed watching TV coverage of this year’s Presidents and though it was not the outcome we sought, I always think that the scores are never a true reflection of how well the Internationals played”, he said.
“I just thought it was a lot tighter encounter though after seeing the scores early on the first day, I didn’t watch any of the coverage thinking to myself ‘this is not going to be any good’.
“Then with what was transpiring on Friday, I thought ‘just how good is this?’ and with the Internationals showing so much character. Though the whole event was good and, as I said, I always think that the scoring is always a lot tighter than the scores show.
“Someone could look-up the final score and think the Internationals got thrashed but that was not the case”.
However, it does beg the question what does need to be done to bolster the International Team, so they can begin to turn the tables on their American rivals.
Horschell, and a member of the victoious 2022 American Presidents Cup side, spoke exclusively with GolfByTourMiss earlier this week and suggests LIV players must be made eligible to tee-up for the Internationals.
Oosthuizen responded saying: “There is lots of stuff that need to be figured out that could help make the Internationals more competitive.
“Yes, LIV guys cannot play that event so hopefully that aspect of the competition is changed.
“The four times I represented the Internationals were the four best events of my career. I just loved it so much and I would love to be see that heading into the future that LIV guys also could be selected for the Presidents Cup.
“Though saying that as there is a lot of things that need to fall into place before that happens, so let’s hope it all comes to fruition”
