SINCE 1995, Retief Goosen has been one of the most consistent players in the world, winning at least one event internationally every year and a US PGA Tour event every year since 2001, but his last win was in December and time is running out for the former world No 3 to keep the run going. Perhaps a return to Wentworth, where he reached the semi-final last year, will bring him success.
Aside from the cool demeanour and mental strength that have seen him earn the nickname of The Iceman, very little is known about the man behind the steely-eyed competitor. He has won the US Open twice and captured a pair of European Orders of Merit, but he rarely reveals much in post-round interviews.
His career very nearly was over before it began when he was struck by lightning in his late teens while on the golf course — he was thrown from his shoes and remembers very little of the incident but was back playing three weeks later.
Goosen is widely respected for his deliberate approach to the game, yet there was a time in the early part of his career when he was not so collected and he was known more for breaking his clubs than breaking course records. He has worked hard in recent years with a sports psychologist to keep his emotions in check.
“My temperament used to be the worst part of my game growing up,” he admitted recently. “If you hit a bad shot, forget it, focus on the next shot, and stay positive.”
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His more positive attitude can also be put down to his marriage to Tracy in 2001 when, after navigating his wedding vows, he said, “If I can do this, I can do anything.” They were telling words as just two months later he beat Mark Brooks in an 18-hole play-off in the US Open at Southern Hills.
On course he has an enviable swing — under the guidance of Butch Harmon — that draws comparisons to his compatriot, Ernie Els. “Rhythm and timing have been my focus since I got serious about the game,” he said. “I struggle when my transition gets a bit too quick, and I lose the feeling of smoothness between backswing and downswing.”
Goosen’s swing was looking smooth heading for a third US Open title in 2005 when he held the clubhouse lead by three strokes after the third round. Yet as the sun came out on the Sunday morning the Iceman melted, eventually shooting an 81. He later gave an insight into how far he had progressed since the days when temper tantrums were common on course.
“I played rubbish at the end of the day,” he said. “This is nothing serious. Nobody has died. I had a great Father’s Day this morning with the kids. And the family is a lot more important than playing anyone out there.”
FACT FILE
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Age: 37
Nationality: South African
Wins: 29, including the World Cup in 2001. Won the European Tour Order of Merit in 2001 and 2002
Major wins: 2 (US Open, 2001 and 2004)
Major record in 2006: Masters: tied 3rd; US Open: missed cut; Open: tied 14th; US PGA: tied 34th
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World ranking: 5
How he qualified for World Match Play: Fourteenth on the Major Championship ranking
Previous WMP experience: Six appearances between 1999 and 2005. Lost in semi-finals last year