Goosen back for more at K Club

Retief Goosen will bid for a repeat of his success of 2004 when he defends his title at the Smurfit European Open at the K Club.

The South African has confirmed he will be among the field that will contest the title on June 30 and will need only to look back at his achievements of the previous year for inspiration.

For the world number five captured his second US Open title at Shinnecock Hills before dashing across the Atlantic to Dublin, and the K Club.

Despite feeling understandably tired, Goosen romped to a 13-under-par total of 275 over the Smurfit Course, finishing five strokes ahead of Lee Westwood, Richard Green and Peter O’Malley. The success came as a surprise even to him.

“I didn’t think I was quite ready to play when I arrived here last year,” he recalled.

“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.”

Goosen will open his defence over the Palmer Course, which will play host to the Ryder Cup next September, and where he finished in a share of second place behind Michael Campbell in 2002.

“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,” he added.