OPEN Golf champion Louis Oosthuizen returned to his Altrincham home this week after winning the coveted prize and his first major title.

The South African player, who was relatively unknown until he beat the world’s best players to a convincing seven-shot victory at the weekend, arrived at his Timperley home on Monday.

Louis, who is known as Shrek to friends, told the Messenger that it had been a great week and winning at St Andrews had been ‘extra special’.

He said the fact that it was Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday on Sunday made the win more poignant and was ‘a good way to congratulate him on the occasion’.

The 27-year-old’s world ranking moved up 39 places overnight after his win from 54 place to 15.

He celebrated his Open win with wife Nel-Mare and their six-month-old daughter Jana, although admitted that Jana was less than impressed with his achievement.

“She’s a little too young yet and she almost fell asleep during the presentation as well,” he said.

Louis has used Altrincham as a base when competing in Europe for five years and said he loves the area and is a regular visitor to the Trafford Centre.

The golfing ace bought the family’s current house last year but said he doesn’t expect neighbours to know who he is as the family are ‘low key’.

During his stays in Altrincham Louis has been to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play and practiced his swing at Mere Golf and Country Club on Chester Road.

But the rugby union fan admitted that he would love to watch a Sale Sharks game next season.

Louis was tutored by golfing legend Ernie Els and has been playing on the European tour for six years.

In addition to his Altrincham home Louis also has a house in his home town of Mossel Bay in South Africa, where he has started a junior golf academy.