Oosthuizen wins British Open

Photosport

South African Louis Oosthuizen holds his nerve to win the British Open by seven shots from Lee Westwood

Louis Oosthuizen has emulated the feats of mentor and compatriot Ernie Els by winning the British golf Open.

The 27 year old has stormed to a seven shot win at St Andrews, carding a final round one-under par 71 to finish at 16 under par, to become the first South African to lift the Claret Jug since Els in 2002.

Starting the day with a four stroke lead, Oosthuizen says he battled to keep calm and focused on the back nine.

Oosthuizen says he was very tight towards the end, despite having such a large lead, and his achievement probably will not hit him until tomorrow.

England's Lee Westwood emerged from the pack to finish outright second at nine under par.

Paul Casey, who began the day as Oosthuizen's closest challenger, ended in a tie for third on eight under alongside Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.

Westwood says Oosthuizen thoroughly deserved to win, so he is not disappointed with second.

Oosthuizen had previously never made an Open cut before in three attempts and his previous best finish in a major was 73rd in the 2008 U.S. PGA Championship.

It is only his second professional win outside South Africa.

Tiger Woods finished down the field at three-under in a tie for 23rd.