Golf-Superb 63 is a relief for Retief after first hole shock (Reuters)
July 10, 2009
By Tony Jimenez
LOCH LOMOND, Scotland, July 10 (Reuters) – Retief Goosenduffed his first shot like a weekend hacker before proving hispedigree with an eight-under-par 63 to sail into a two-strokelead early in the Scottish Open second round on Friday.
The 40-year-old South African hit seven birdies and an eagleafter recovering from the surprise of dribbling his drive a mere180 yards into the rough at the par-four 10th, his opening hole. Goosen, the Loch Lomond course-record holder after firing a62 in 1997, finished on 11-under 131. Adam Scott (67) was insecond place on 133, one ahead of fellow Australian MarcusFraser (66) and Germany’s Martin Kaymer (65).
“I was trying to hit a three-wood off the tee at the 10thand hit a low, thinny one going right,” the 2001 and 2004 U.S.Open champion told reporters at the warmup event for next week’sBritish Open at Turnberry.
“It was a bit of a weird start, a bit of a shock. My playingpartners (world number six Geoff Ogilvy and Britain’s OliverWilson) kept quiet but I’m sure they were laughing.”
With the rippling waters of Loch Lomond glistening likediamonds on another day of glorious sunshine, Goosen scrambledhis par at the 10th by knocking in a 30-foot putt beforerattling off birdies at the 13th, 16th and 18th. Nothing could stop him on his back nine as he mixed an eaglethree at the third with birdies at the first, fourth, seventhand eighth.
‘BIG FIVE’
“The course is fairly generous here,” said Goosen. “I’m notone of the straightest hitters so it helps a little bit ifyou’re off target by 15, 20 yards.”
Goosen was once bracketed in the so-called ‘Big Five’ withTiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh but hehas suffered something of a slide in recent seasons and has gonetwo and a half years without a victory on the European Tour.
He came close to ending his wait for a win when he led forthree rounds at last month’s BMW International Open in Munichonly to finish third.
“My putting is not as consistent as it used to be but todaythey all went in,” he said.
Eight-times European number one Colin Montgomerie, who alsostarted at the 10th, could miss the projected cut of one-underdespite staging a brilliant late rally by birdying the last fourholes for a 69 and a level-par total of 142.
His former Ryder Cup team mate Nick Faldo (73), making arare playing appearance this week, and crowd favourite John Daly(75) are set to miss out after finishing on 144.
Australian left-hander Richard Green, the overnight leaderon seven-under, was among the late starters.
(Editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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