Open hopefuls could put Goosen in the shade

Retief Goosen returns to action following his superlative second US Open triumph when he plays in the Smurfit European Open at the K Club near Dublin tomorrow.

But once the €3m event is under way the South African, great player though he has now proved himself to be, might still find himself overshadowed by some late desperate bids to qualify for the Open in two weeks’ time and by the continuing battle for Ryder Cup points.