LEGENDARY golfer and commentator Peter Oosterhuis has died at the age of 75.
Oosterhuis was one of Europe‘s top pro golfers before becoming a much-loved commentator for sport.
Affectionately known as “Oosty”, the Englishman was a member of six consecutive Ryder Cup teams and topped the European Tour’s Order of Merit between 1971 and 1974.
He also finished as the runner up in the Open Championship in 1974 and 1982.
Oosterhuis had been suffering from Alzheimer’s since 2014.
He passed away peacefully this morning, one day shy of what would have been his 76th birthday.
Born in Lambeth, London in 1948, Oosterhuis cultivated his golf skills at Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Golf Club after being allowed on to the course to pick blackberries for his family.
He went on to become the first schoolboy to represent Great Britain and Ireland at the Walker Cup before turning pro in the late 1960s.
Three victories in 1971 saw him top the money list for the first of his four consecutive seasons.
That year also saw Oosterhuis make his PGA Tour debut in the Greater Greensboro Open before making his debut in the Masters for the first time a week later.
Oosterhuis went on to win ten tournaments including the Harry Vardon Trophy for heading the Order of Merit for four consecutive seasons.
He remains tied for the all-time lead in Ryder Cup singles victories for either side with six.
From 1987 through to 1993, Oosterhuis was the director of golf at Forsgate Country Club, NJ, and Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Oosterhuis’ work as the lead analyst for The Golf Channel at the DP World Tour led to him becoming a mainstay on CBS’ coverage of the PGA Tour, including on the Masters between 1997 and 2014.
He was handed honorary life membership of the European Tour in 2016.
Oosterhuis leaves behind his second wife, Ruth Ann, sons Rob and Rich, stepsons Byron and Matt and four grandchildren, Peyton, Turner, Sutton and Lachlan.
Paying tribute on social media, The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews based in Scotland said: “We are saddened to hear the news that Peter Oosterhuis, runner-up twice in @TheOpen and who represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup and Eisenhower Trophy, has passed away aged 75.
“Our thoughts are with Peter’s family at this sad time.”
The Legends Tour said: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Oosterhuis, a four-time Harry Vardon Trophy winner and six-time Ryder Cup player, at the age of 75.”
