Louis: It's never nice to lose a playoff

St Andrews - South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen says he’ll take a lot from his efforts at the Open Championship despite going down in a playoff.

American Zach Johnson claimed the second major victory of his career when he beat Oosthuizen and Australian Marc Leishman in a four-hole playoff at St Andrews on Monday.

Johnson, Oosthuizen and Leishman all finished with totals of 15-under 273 after Johnson and Leishman had 66s and Oosthuizen a 69.

Played over holes 1, 2, 17 and 18, Oosthuizen and Johnson immediately distanced themselves from Leishman with opening birdies to his bogey.

Johnson then went clear with a birdie at the second, but he hit a poor approach to the notorious 17th, the Road Hole, and bogeyed, only for Oosthuizen to miss a four-footer to get back on level terms.

It all came down to the famous 18th hole with its historic town centre backdrop, and a par was enough for Johnson with Oosthuizen narrowly missing an eight-footer to force sudden death.

"It's never nice to lose a playoff. I've had the experience in 2012 at Augusta," Oosthuizen told Reuters.

"But yeah, I'll take a lot out of this week. I was really motivated to win this championship. I love this place. I've said it a thousand times.

"I can't wait for it to come back here again."

Oosthuizen said it had been a great major to be part of.

"Probably one of the most exciting Opens. A lot of guys will take a lot of good out of this. It'll be great for golf if this is going to be the way forward."