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Soggy by the seashore after three straight days of rain, what better player to emerge at the top of the Old Course swamp than a guy with perhaps the funniest nickname in professional golf.

Maybe its the gap-toothed grin or the large ears. Either way, easygoing South African Louis Oosthuizen answers to the nickname of “Shrek,” the lovable ogre of cinematic cartoon fame.

“Its the gap in the teeth,” he said. “My friends say I look like Shrek, some of my friends, and you cant choose your friends, so what can I say?”

Largely unknown in the United States, Oosthuizen is writing yet another British Open fairy tale, hoping to become the latest in a series of unheralded winners at the oldest of golfs major championships after taking the early lead Friday at 12 under par.

The 27-year-old briefly used a headcover of the cartoon ogre, before his caddie somehow convinced him that it was bringing him bad luck. Of course, at least Shrek is a name that everybody can pronounce.

It has been cringe-inducing listening to the various news outlets absolutely butcher his surname this week, if not his first name, which is pronounced Louie, not Lewis.

Weve heard Oost-Hu-Zen, Oost-Hi-Zen, and ESPN has struggled with the broadcast in the States with about three different variations on those themes. Perhaps worst of a during on by an R&A official as “Peter Oosterhuizen,” doubtlessly confusing him with former English great and longtime CBS broadcaster Peter Oosterhuis.

For the record, straight from the horses mouth, its West-Hi-Zen, and dont even get us going on his full name, which is actually Lodewicus Theodorus Oosthuizen, after his grandfather. Address him by that name and you will get the cold shoulder or a sock in the nose.

“I wont talk to them if they call me that,” he laughed.

He continues like this, he will be a house Oosthuizen tied two Hall of Famers for the lowest 36-hole score in the British Opens played on the Old Course at 132, matching the halfway play of Greg Norman and Nick Faldo.

Thats stronger than the onshore breeze, especially considering that Oosthuizen had made exactly one of eight cuts at his previous major championships. Being a pretty laid-back guy, he didnt get mad when he was half-seriously asked whether he had secured a return ticket for Friday night.

“I was a little more confident than that,” he laughed, flashing his Tom Watson smile. “I booked a house through Sunday night.”

It was a reasonable, if slightly brash, question. In missed cuts this year at the Masters and U.S. Open, his best round was a 74. In fact, his résumé is fairly modest, with four wins on the South African tour. Earlier this season at a middle-tier event in Spain, he claimed his first European Tour title.

Before the guys over age 50 began stealing the thematic spotlight at the past three Opens, the British ran through an occasional string of mostly obscure winners, starting with journeyman Scottish pro Paul Lawrie in 1999, American rookie Ben Curtis in 2003 and Japan Tour player Todd Hamilton in 2004. In particular, Lawrie and Hamilton have struggled to validate their major victories, not that its required.

Oosthuizen is part of the next wave of South African players, a member of the same peer group as Charl Schwartzel, a two-time European Tour winner this year and his former roommate when traveling on the junior circuit. Oosthuizen played in Ernie Els developmental foundation for three years starting at age 17 and turned pro immediately afterward.

Louis Oosthuizen plays through varying weather conditions during the second round, including spots of rain. (Getty Images) The son of a farmer, Oosthuizen said it was doubtful his family would have had the financial resources to play the traveling junior circuit, which was crucial to his early development. As any farmers son knows, money doesnt grow on trees, no matter how big the orchard.

“It was unbelievable what [Els] did for me traveling around the country, helping with expenses, things like that,” Oosthuizen said. “You know, hes such a good mentor, and probably without him, those three years Ive been in his foundation, I wouldnt have been here.”

Maybe, maybe not, because the guy can certainly go low. At age 20, he shot an incredible 14-under 57 in a practice round at his home club, Mossel Bay, in South Africa. Not surprisingly, his website is www.louis57oosthuizen.com.

At a solid No. 54 in the world rankings, Oosthuizen easily laughed off the references to his not-so-tidy Grand Slam outings in the past. After winning in Spain four months ago for the first time on a truly major tour, everything feels different now.

There was an apt exchange between Shrek and Princess Fiona in the original movie in the popular series, where shes trying to get him to more aggressively attack a pesky dragon.

“Youre meant to charge in, sword drawn, banner flying,” Fiona said. “Thats what all the other knights did.”

“Yeah, right before they burst into flame,” Shrek said sarcastically.

After making his second cut in nine majors, maybe Oosthuizen is ready to slay some fire-breathers, too.

“Yeah, it wasnt very great, was it?” he laughed of his majors history. “But like I said, again, it was a matter of not believing in myself, I think. Everyone around here is telling me, Youve got the shots, youre playing well, and again, that win earlier this season just got my mind set in a different way.”