Three years ago, a South African twister blew into Oklahoma and stormed off with the U.S. Open. Now it appears Retief Goosen is quietly bearing down on eastern Long Island.
In 2001, Goosen (pronounced WHO-son though it’s OK to call him Goose) was nowhere to be seen on the American golf radar until he beat Mark Brooks in a U.S. Open playoff at Southern Hills.
With 19 titles on his resume, Goosen has since stablished himself as one of golf’s Top 10 players, yet he’s stuck with the rep of being the “second best golfer in South Africa,” behind Ernie Els, and the guy who finished second to Tiger Woods at the 2002 Masters.
But Goosen has refocused his game as he continues pursuit of a second major championship this week at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
“I feel like my game’s coming back,” Goosen confidently told The Post. “I’ve been practicing quite a bit. I’m putting it all together.”
Goosen, 35, gave up the No. 1 ranking on the European Tour last year to play more in America. In 2004, he played well early on with three top-five finishes. But after missing the cut at the Players Championship and tying for 13th at the Masters, Goosen headed to his home in England to work on his game, as well as his body.
“The time off helped,” he said. “I got into an exercise routine, doing treadmills, light weights, lots of stretching.
“My iron play wasn’t up to standard. I wasn’t making any putts. I needed to work on my irons to give myself more birdie opportunities.”
Goosen loves his new TaylorMade R7 quad driver and believes it will keep him out of the rough at Shinnecock.
“You can’t beat the technology,” he said. “I think it will help, but ultimately it’s the player behind the club. You still have to get the ball on the green.”
Goosen has never played at Shinnecock but thinks he can do well there because he likes firm, tough courses.
“I hear it’s a linksy type of course quite similar to the British Open courses,” he said. “That’s quite nice for a change. Give me two practice rounds and then let’s go.”
When he was 15, Goosen was struck by lightning. Years later, he won the U.S. Open. Don’t be shocked if lightning strikes again.