Legendary golf commentator and former Ryder Cup star Peter Oosterhuis dies aged 75

Former Ryder Cup player Peter Oosterhuis has died at the age of 75. 

The Englishman, who played in six Cup matches and twice beat Arnold Palmer in the singles, had been suffering from Alzheimer’s since 2014.

In a fine career, Oosterhuis topped the European Tour’s Order of Merit four times between 1971 and 1974 and on two occasions was runner up at The Open, having also taken a three-shot lead into the final round of the 1973 Masters.

After retiring from professional golf in the mid-Nineties, Oosterhuis became one of the most popular commentators in the game with CBS in the United States. 

A fine story-teller, he once shared a memorable tale from the aftermath of his halved singles match with Lee Trevino in the 1973 Ryder Cup at Muirfield.

In a fine career, Oosterhuis (right) topped the European Tour’s Order of Merit four times

Speaking to Golf Digest in 2015, Oosterhuis recalled: ‘Lee told his team-mates, “If I don’t beat Oosterhuis, I’ll come in here and kiss your butts”. Lee didn’t beat me.

‘When he walked in the locker room, (Jack) Nicklaus, Gay Brewer and the other players were waiting, slacks down around their ankles, for the pay-off. Lee didn’t keep his promise.’

Oosterhuis passed away one day short of his 76th birthday.