June 30, 2004
STRAFFAN, Ireland -- Now that he has more experience, two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen thinks more majors could be on the way.
Goosen won his second Open almost two weeks ago, beating Phil Mickelson by two strokes at Shinnecock Hills, N.Y.
He won the first in 2001.
"I always thought my better golf would come later in my career -- now I have started to learn a bit more about the game," the 35-year-old South African said. "I am looking forward to the next 10 years. I feel I can maybe pull off another couple."
He wasn't too optimistic about his chances at the European Open at the K Club on Thursday, his first event since the Open.
Goosen flew from New York to Orlando the night of his win, then returned soon after to make several television appearances. He said he didn't really relax until going to Wimbledon on Saturday -- where it rained -- and then attending a barbecue at Wentworth neighbor Ernie Els' home.
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| Retief Goosen has won the U.S. Open twice. (Getty Images) |
"I am hoping to take it easy this week and have a nice stroll around."
Goosen played nine holes, the watery back nine, on Tuesday and had his first look at the rest of the 7,313-yard layout in Wednesday's pro-am.
"It looks good, and obviously we are going to have normal Irish weather with a bit of rain which will make the course tricky," he said. "I think there are going to be a lot of tough holes out there."
Goosen was surprised he putted so well at Shinnecock Hills because of putting problems at previous tournaments.
"I knew at some stage the putts had to start going in," Goosen said. "I felt like I was hitting a lot of good putts, but nothing was going in. But then at Shinnecock during the week and from Friday onwards I started to get a good feel for the greens."
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