Fans of the transatlantic tones of English golf commentator Peter Oosterhuis will have to carry on watching without the benefit of his wit and wisdom, after the 66 year old announced his retirement from broadcasting with immediate effect.
Oosterhuis has worked as a golf analyst for CBS Sports, the Golf Channel for the past 20 years, and made regular appearance on Sky Sports coverage. He worked on the first two events the Golf Channel ever broadcast in 1995, and then joined CBS in 1998.
During his playing career, London-born Oosterhuis won 20 times on the European Tour and won the Order of Merit four years running from 1971-74. He played on the PGA Tour for 11 years during the latter part of his career, from 1975 to 1986. He also played in six Ryder Cups and boasted a 14-11-3 record in the matches, – an impressive record given that Europe lost every Ryder Cup from 1971 to 1981. His best finish in a major was runner up in the Open in 1974 and 1982.
Speaking about his decision to hang up the microphone for good, Oosterhuis said: “Golf has been a big part of my life ever since I was a little boy growing up in England, and I thank CBS and Golf Channel for allowing me to continue in the sport after my playing days were over. I feel it is the right time to step away to focus on things in life that I have always wanted to do.”