Goosen confirms Smurfit European Open defence
IN: News | European PGA | Smurfit European Open (2005) | General | 14 Jun 2005
South African Retief Goosen, the World Number Five and two-time US Open Champion, has confirmed that he will defend his title at the Smurfit European Open at The K Club from June 30 - July 3.
Twelve months ago, Goosen captured his second US Open title in sensational style at Shinnecock Hills in New York, then flew across the Atlantic to Dublin, overcoming understandable fatigue to shoot rounds of 69-66-72-68 for a 13 under par total of 275 over The Smurfit Course.
Goosen, who finished five strokes ahead of England's Lee Westwood and Australians Richard Green and Peter O'Malley, opens his defence this year over The Palmer Course, which will host The Ryder Cup next September, and where Goosen finished in a share of second place behind New Zealand's Michael Campbell in 2002.
Goosen said: "I didn't think I was quite ready to play when I arrived here last year. Tuesday's practice round was the first time I had touched the clubs since the US Open, but once we got under way I felt competitive again and it was a great feeling to finally win this title after coming so close in the past.
"I am looking forward to defending it over The Palmer Course, which we have all got to know really well over the years and is a wonderful test of golf."
Source - European Tour
