Oosthuizen, a former farmboy with a gap-tooth smile, learned his trade at the academy run by South African star Ernie Els, winning his first title at the Andalucia Open on the European Tour this season.

CNN: Oosthuizen leads way at British Open as winds cause havoc

But joy was quickly turned into despair as "Shrek" -- as he is fondly known to his friends due to his gap-tooth smile -- failed to qualify for his first British Open at St Andrews in 2005.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS