Runners-up slot in Malaga is career-best for Whiteford

PETER Whiteford, never higher than sixth in 52 previous European Tour events, overcame the theft of his driver to produce a career-best performance in finishing joint-second behind South African Louis Oosthuizen in the Andalucian Open yesterday.

The 29-year-old from Kirkcaldy, forced to switch to his reserve driver when his favourite was stolen from his bag before the third round, closed with a four-under-par 66 for a 14-under-par total – three behind Oosthuizen.

Whiteford secured a cheque for 86,855 and leapt to 36th in this year's Race to Dubai, with South African Open champion Richie Ramsay (29th) the only Scot above him in those standings.

After three birdies in his first five holes Oosthuizen had increased his overnight lead, but a three-putt bogey at the 409-yard seventh gave the chasing pack hope.

Whiteford, who played his golf as an amateur at Lundin Golf Club and is now based at Wellsgreen Golf Centre, owned and run by his family, suddenly emerged as the biggest threat thanks to five birdies in eight holes around the turn.

The Scot had a chance to move only one behind when he hit a superb approach to 12 feet on the long 14th. But he missed that and when he three-putted the next for bogey it made life a lot easier for Oosthuizen.

Whiteford, who came into the tournament 291st in the world, lamented his lost driver. "I thought I had it sussed," he said. "Then I discovered it missing before I went to practice and the one I had to use for the last two days was rubbish. I'll get a replacement now."

A week after losing a three-shot lead and having his fourth runners-up finish, Oosthuizen finally claimed his first Tour title as he finished three ahead of both Whiteford and England's Richard Finch.

The victory lifts Oosthuizen back into the world's top 50 just in time to earn him a second successive trip to The Masters. After dropping to 75th in the rankings he then came second and third in successive weeks in his home country, but even last weekend's near-miss left him almost certainly having to win at the Parador course to make it to Augusta.

Oosthuizen did it in impressive fashion, taking over at the top with a second day 63 and closing with rounds of 66 and 67 for a 17 under aggregate of 263.

"I was quite nervous down the stretch and very nervous on the 18th tee," said Oosthuizen. "I just decided to hit it as hard as I could."

As for not letting another victory chance go, he added: "I knew I was good enough to win one. Now I want to stay in the top 50 and be competitive every time I play."