When 28-year-old defending British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen was asked last year how he would spend his victory earnings from the major championship, he told the reporter that he would buy John Deere machinery.
"Being a farm boy, it was one of my big dreams, and I bought myself a nice John Deere tractor for my farm back in South Africa," Oosthuizen told reporters at the event following the British Open. "John Deere is very close to my heart. It's for me to drive around on, and I made sure there was enough space for my little daughter Jana to sit beside me."
Later, the major champion said that he was interested in touring Deere plants and world headquarters in Moline, Illinois. Because the corporate offices are located near TPC Deere Run, the course for the John Deere Classic, event officials thought it might be possible that he would play the tournament. In part because of a charter flight to the U.K. available to players after the Classic, and Oosthuizen's bond with the Deere brand, he will, in fact, be in the 2011 field.
Oosthuizen brings love of farming equipment, golf game to John Deere Classic
Oosthuizen will play Deere Classic and visit Deere corporate headquarters.