/ 16 July 2004

Goosen taking it easy in quest for Open win

At three-under halfway through the British Open, Retief Goosen is quietly staying in contention — exactly the way he won his second United States Open last month.

The South African, who compiled four consistent rounds at Shinnecock Hills and then capitalised on a Phil Mickelson three-putt at the 71st, carded a one-under 70 on Friday at Royal Troon.

The bogey-free round had a lone birdie following an opening-round 69 on Thursday.

Although the wind picked up at the west-coast Scottish course, Goosen made the best of dry, sunny conditions. With Tiger Woods on the course and former champions Nick Faldo and John Daly also attracting big galleries, he was able to steer his way around the tricky links without producing any roars from the fans.

He played OK, but not great.

”I didn’t play all that well on the back nine but made a few up and downs which sort of kept my game together,” Goosen said.

If Goosen recaptures the form that earned him the US Open followed two weeks later by the European Open, his rivals may be watching him lift the famous claret jug on Sunday afternoon.

Because he has taken breaks in between, that would mean winning his third tournament in a row.

”It’s never easy to keep going following a major,” he said. ”But I had a week off to sort of recover. I’m in a position to play well on the weekend and I think I won’t be far off the lead come the end of the day.

”There’s a lot of golf to be played this weekend, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Goosen has had four top-10 finishes in his last seven Opens and has a streak of consistency in his game.

”When you play well, you like the game,” he said. ”When you don’t, you hate it. It’s a tough game, as we know. When you’re not playing well, it’s not easy to lift yourself and be motivated and keep practicing and waiting for it to start happening again.”

If Goosen lifts his game just a little, it could be happening again this weekend. — Sapa