English Ryder Cup Hero Peter Oosterhuis dies at 75

Born in London and educated at Dulwich College, he represented Great Britain in the 1967 Walker Cup and 1968 Eisenhower Trophy before turning professional.

'Oosty', as he was widely and affectionately known, won tournaments all over the world. His sole PGA Tour victory in 343 official starts came in the Canadian Open in 1981, where he beat Jack Nicklaus, Bruce Lietzke and Andy North by a stroke. The $76,000 first place prize was more than he'd won, in total, for any previous season.

He won seven European Tour events. He tied for third at the 1973 Masters, finished solo second at the 1974 British Open, tied second in 1982, and top-10 at the U.S. Open in 1975 and 1977

Oosterhuis represented six straight Great Britain & Ireland or European Ryder Cup teams, in six straight losses to the U.S. Twice, he led his team in points, and remains tied for the all-time lead in most singles victories (6).

Oosterhuis later moved into broadcasting, perhaps best known for his 18 year stint (1997-2014) calling the action for CBS at the 17th at Augusta National during their annual Masters coverage and frequenting the commentary box with Sky Sports Golf. 

Writing in Sports Illustrated, John Garrity offered; “Oosterhuis's voice—precise, preternaturally calm and authoritative— is the one that, after an hour or so, seems to be generated from somewhere in your own head" Renton Laidlaw described it as "very listenable; a voice you never get tired of.’”

Retiring from broadcasting in 2014, Oosterhuis would reveal he was battling with early-onset Alzheimer’s.