Grand slam leader Goosen beats baby blues

Retief Goosen has revealed that he almost decided not to make the trip to Hawaii for the Grand Slam of golf after the birth of his daughter Ella last Friday.

But the South African was glad he had done after carding a seven-under-par 65 for a one-shot lead over Vijay Singh on the first day of the 22nd PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

Goosen considered staying in England wife his wife and new-born girl but finally elected to make the long journey on Friday evening.

“I was very close to not coming,” he said. “By Friday lunchtime, if the baby wasn’t there, then I was going to pull out. But I’m here now, I’m going to try and make the trip worth my while coming over here.”

The US Open champion, who birdied the first four holes, added: “I got off to a great start. When you get off to a start like that, the momentum sort of carries you on. I made a few bad mistakes out there, but overall I’m looking forward to the second round.”

Masters champion Phil Mickelson is alone in third place after a 68, two shots better than Todd Hamilton in the two-day, 36-hole stroke-play event at Poipu Bay Golf Course and Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort for the Major championship winners.

Goosen grabbed sole possession of first place by tapping in for birdie on the par-five 18th hole after USPGA winner Singh had fallen into a tie for the lead with a bogey on the 16th.

British Open winner Hamilton kept up with a 33 on the front nine but slipped to a 37 on the back but did get back one shot with a birdie on the 18th.

“I had a blast,” he admitted. “Obviously, I was in some tough company with these guys, especially with the starts they got off to. But I enjoyed the day.”