Oosterhuis, who topped the European Tour’s Order of Merit from 1971-1974 and twice finished runner-up in the Open Championship, had been suffering from Alzheimer’s since 2014
Former Ryder Cup player and much-loved television commentator Peter Oosterhuis has died at the age of 75, the PGA Tour has announced.
Oosterhuis, who topped the European Tour’s Order of Merit from 1971-1974 and twice finished runner-up in the Open Championship, had been suffering from Alzheimer’s since 2014. He died on Thursday, a day before what would have been his 76th birthday.
Following a successful amateur career, Oosterhuis turned professional in 1968 and quickly made his mark with a tie for sixth in the 1970 Open at St Andrews, where Jack Nicklaus defeated Doug Sanders in a play-off.
He first topped the European Tour money list in 1971, and had a great chance to win the 1973 Masters with a three-shot lead in the final round, but finished tied for third with a final score of 74. Ta. He is one stroke behind winner Tommy Aaron.
Oosterhaus said he was also runner-up at the British Open in 1974 and 1982, and all six of his Ryder Cup appearances in the era of American dominance ended in defeat, but Arnold Palmer (twice), defeated Johnny Miller, JC Sneed, and Gene Littler. single.
Oosterhaus became an honorary life member of his European Tour in 2016 and is survived by his second wife Ruth, his Anne and professional golfer son Rob.
Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallasher, Oosterhouse’s partner in the biennial competition, paid tribute to his former teammate.
“This is an incredibly sad day for everyone who was lucky enough to know Peter, and for golf as a whole,” Gallasher said on the DP World Tour website. .
“I played with Peter at the Boys, Youth and Senior Amateur levels until I partnered with him in the 1971 Missouri Ryder Cup, and together we defeated Lee Trevino and Billy Casper, and he He won both singles matches, including a win against Arnold Palmer.
“Peter was an incredibly intelligent golfer who was dedicated to his technique and practice. He was excellent at course management and putting and was a very difficult opponent to beat.
“He was also a very intelligent person and a pleasure to be around.
“In the decades that I knew him, I never saw him badmouthing anyone. That, along with his eloquence and deep knowledge of the game, was why he was such a popular and excellent emcee.