South African Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open Champion and world number 17, will play in the Perth International at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from February 25-28, 2016.
Oosthuizen was runner-up in consecutive Major Championships at the US Open and The Open Championship in 2015, the latter when he lost out in a three way play-off at St Andrews, the scene of his victory in 2010. He was also undefeated for the International Team in his second Presidents Cup in October contributing 4½points.
His appearance in Perth will mark his first professional tournament on Australian shores.
“I am really excited about the opportunity to play in Perth,” he said. “I have played tournaments all over the world but this will be the first Tour event I have ever played in Australia. Gary Player, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els have all won tournaments at Lake Karrinyup Country Club and hopefully I can continue their success in February.”
Western Australia Tourism Minister Dr Kim Hames welcomed the announcement and said it was a coup for Perth to have Oosthuizen play his first tournament on Australian soil in Perth.
“It is terrific that Perth will welcome one of the finest players in the game and hopefully Louis will add to the growing list of international advocates for our city and State,“ he said.
“The Perth International promises to be a hallmark weekend of golf when it shifts to its new date in February and it will afford the opportunity to showcase Perth and Western Australia to more than 400 million homes around the world through broadcast coverage.”
Tickets for the Perth International start from $22 and are available now atwww.perthinternational.comor directly at Ticketmaster. Children under 16 will gain free entry with a paying adult ticket holder.
The 2016 Perth International will mark the fourth staging of the event which is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government through Tourism Western Australia. This year will see the Asian Tour join the European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia in the only tri-sanctioned event in Australia.
For general event information visitwww.perthinternational.comand stay up to date on Facebook -http://www.facebook.com/PerthInternationalGolfand Twitter - @PerthIntl.
