Been there, done that: Goosen ready to do it again  PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents ILE BIZARD, MONTREAL, Canada -- Mike Weir and Retief Goosen had just finished playing nine holes in relative anonymity on Monday.  Retief Goosen and Mike Weir at the 2000 Presidents Cup (WireImage) Two television cameramen, five photographers and a quartet of sportswriters laid in wait outside the ropes that framed the ninth green at The Royal Montreal Golf Club, though. The solitude of this sunny, breezy, autumn afternoon was over. A foursome of early arriving Americans -- Lucas Glover, Hunter Mahan, Zach Johnson and Charles Howell III -- set out for their practice round. The cameras, though, were focused on the slender lefthander who is Canada's favorite son. When Weir opted to play four more holes alone, Goosen became the unwitting center of attention. What began as an interview with two reporters suddenly became a scrum, but the quiet South African remained relaxed and accommodating. Goosen is one of just four men on Gary Player's International Team who brings a winning record to this week's seventh renewal of The Presidents Cup. The others are Weir (8-6 overall), Ernie Els (10-8-2) and Adam Scott (6-3-1). Goosen has a 9-5-1 record overall in three previous Presidents Cups. He's only lost one of his six Four-Ball matches and just one Singles while going 2-3-1 in Foursomes. Only Scott and Els, though, have a winning record in the alternate-shot competition. "Obviously, the team spirit is great," Goosen said. "It just doesn't feel like you're playing for yourself out there like you normally do. You've got the 11 other guys that you're carrying around and trying to help get that point on the board." One of Goosen's most memorable moments came in 2005 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club when he defeated Tiger Woods 2 and 1 in the third match on Sunday. The hard-earned point failed to spark the needed rally, though, as the U.S. won 18 ½ to 15 ½. "I putted very well when I played against him," Goosen said with characteristic modesty. "It's pretty much what you'll have to do this week by the looks of it. The fairways are generous. There's not a lot of rough out there, so scoring's going to be good." Goosen missed the cut at the Deutsche Bank Championship three weeks ago and was eliminated from the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. He's now had two weeks off and tied for 21st at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in between.  Retief Goosen has a winning record entering this year's Presidents Cup. (WireImage)
"(The layoff) wasn't long for me because I didn't play the last two FedExCup events, so I'm happy to be back," Goosen said. Goosen won the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in January, his fourth top-10 in his first five starts on the European Tour, and tied for second at the Masters Tournament in April. He hasn't had a top-10 on either side of the Atlantic Ocean since, though. "I'm still working on those few swing changes,' Goosen explained. "I'm starting to hit a few better golf shots. My putting is not quite there. But I feel like my putting is coming along nicely. I putted quite well in Germany a couple of weeks ago. "So I'm feeling like I'm ready for this week." Goosen said he hopes the positive vibes of The Presidents Cup can help him recapture the form that marked the early part of the season. At the same time, though, the two-time U.S. Open champ knows it's hard to gauge individual performances in a team event. "You could play well this week and still lose," Goosen said. "You can't really measure your game. You can shoot 7 under and lose, and you can shoot even and win. "At the end of the day, you've just got to catch the right guy at the right time. And the team's going to have to blend well together, especially Foursomes and better-ball. (That) is the most important part." Goosen's been there, done that. So don't be surprised if he does it again this week at Royal Montreal. |
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