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Accomplished player, CBS golf analyst Peter Oosterhuis dies at 75



Peter Oosterhuis, a six-time Ryder Cup participant whose voice late became synonymous with the finishing holes during CBS’ coverage of the Masters, died Thursday, one day shy of his 76th birthday.

“Peter was an integral part of our golf coverage and an incredible teammate for nearly two decades,” CBS sports said in a statement. “… Peter brought a unique style and distinct perspective to our broadcasts which made him one of the most respected analysts in the sport. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Ruth Ann and his entire family.”

As a player, Oosterhuis was a force in Ryder Cup play during his six appearances and was a two-time runner-up at the Open Championship. He was ranked No. 1 in Europe for four years during a prolific rise to prominence that eventually brought him to the PGA Tour.

He won 20 tournaments around the globe and never declined an invitation to represent Great Britain. Oosterhuis remains tied for the all-time lead in singles victories in Ryder Cup play with six.

Among his near-misses at majors were a one-shot defeat to Tom Watson at the Open Championship in Royal Troon in 1982. He also tied for third at the 1973 Masters after leading for the first three rounds. The final round was played Monday due to weather issues and Tommy Arnold claimed his only major title, beating J.C. Snead by one shot.

His breakthrough PGA Tour win was the 1981 Canadian Open, when he finished one stroke ahead of Bruce Lietzke, Andy North and Jack Nicklaus.

After his playing career, Oosterhuis became a broadcasting mainstay with CBS, including Masters telecasts from 1997 to 2014 where he frequently provident commentary from the 17th hole. He also served as golf director at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles and Forsgate Country Club in New Jersey.

He announced his retirement from broadcasting in the summer of 2014 due to the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s.

The London-born Oosterhuis was DP World Tour Rookie of the Year in 1969 and on the top player award on tour for four consecutive seasons (1971-74). In addition to three Southern Africa Tour titles he won seven DP World Tour titles and became a full-time PGA Tour participant in 1975 as one of the first international players to assume a spot on the U.S.-based tour.

Field Level Media contributed to this report.

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