Monday 22 June 2015 07:26, UK
Louis Oosthuizen refused to be downcast after finishing just one shot behind US Open champion Jordan Spieth at Chambers Bay.
The former Open champion recovered from a terrible start to the tournament - he was nine-over after the second hole on Friday - with three straight sub-70 rounds to finish four under for the event.
His final-round 67 was courtesy of six birdies, including five consecutive from the 12th - and the South African refused to wonder what might have been having run Spieth so close on the west coast.
"I'm very happy," he said. "I had a rough start. Started awfully, really. The first fairways, the first few holes, I couldn't get to greens. I struggled. Three over through four (holes) is not the start you want.
"I pushed myself the last few holes to be more aggressive on putts, just to see if I can get to some sort of number. To hole that wedge on 14 got me really motivated for those last four holes."
Oosthuizen, who won the 2010 Open at St Andrews by seven shots, holed out with a wedge from 135 yards at the par-four 14th and went on to birdie the 15th, 16th and the par-five last.
"You sort of forget how you play when you get in that situation of having a chance of winning a major," said the 32-year-old, who covered the back nine at Chambers Bay in six-under 29.
"The last time I felt that was in 2012 at Augusta. It was nice being in that spot again. I felt very relaxed. I felt eager to get to the next hole and try and get some birdies going. I wasn't nervous at all. I'll take a lot out of this week.
"I could have easily today shot a big number after that start. I just fought and tried to just have a good week. After my start in the first round, I'm very happy for where I am now."
