Nov
08
Tour Championship shows Retief Goosen still done as a major player
Retief Goosen strolled into the final round of the Tour Championship, only three shots behind the unproven Bart Bryant. Goosen was playing in the final group, posed to put pressure on a golfer desperate for a breakthrough.
So what does Goosen do? He folds. On Sunday. Again.
This time it was a 4-over 74 on a course that was playing about as tough as grandparents are on their new grandkids. This included a stretch of three bogeys and a double bogey in five holes.
Which is nothing new for Goosen on Sundays. He shot an 81 when everyone was already handing him the U.S. Open title at Pinehurst. He put up a final round 74 at the British when he was within three shots of another lead. He never challenged Phil Mickelson at the PGA Championship, though he was once again right there.
Seems like turning into a Pinehurst puddle has stayed with Goosen after all. Of course, this isn’t news. Some of us understood that Goosen was done as a major player minutes after his U.S. Open meltdown.
This is only worth bringing up because some of my loyal fans were gleefully posting about Goosen being back when he pulled into contention at the Tour Championship. Sorry, he can’t close. Once Goosen’s veneer of unflappability went up in smoke, so did his chance of winning big tournaments.
Notice how even Retief ogling Jennifer Mario has stopped talking about her one-time dreamboat?
It’s hard waiting for me to be wrong, I know…But you might want to watch that premature glee.
| « Paula Creamer laps Michelle Wie in toughness. Just ask Sorenstam | Phil Mickelson's mystery Tour Championship bailout beneath Lefty » |
15 comments
Comment from: Bones [Visitor]
Retief had a so-so 3rd round, and I think the lack of confidence just carried over. My bet is that RG will still win big and you will have to eat your words! The best thing is that it doesn't seem to rattle him - his perspective is that golf is a game and if he plays badly, nobody dies so it's no train smash.
2005-11-09 @ 05:11
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
The Goose has definitely hit some sort of a mental wall. Only time will tell if the scars are deep & permanent, but he can't be feeling very confident right now.
2005-11-09 @ 08:21
Comment from: Andrew [Visitor]
I don't know what Retief Goosen ever did to Chris Baldwin - but Baldwin sure seems to be a one-trick pony - jumping up and down with glee every time Goosen doesn't close the deal. Get over it dude! You're probably a frustrated wannabe pro golfer who can't shoot 90 at your local muni, so you get excited at great golfers' misfortunes - pretty sad. Goosen is so often in contention and a class act. When he wins his next major I'm sure we'll never hear from Chris whoever.
Andrew,
Denver
Andrew,
Denver
2005-11-09 @ 11:32
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
Chris, this topic sort of relates to what I've been trying to tell some other posters - that winning is very difficult and is more than just playing well. Tiger has spoiled us.
2005-11-09 @ 12:16
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
Is the US Open where Goosen started to lose his ability to win?
Well since then he won The INTERNATIONAL and Linde German Masters, so I guess it didn't take away his ability to win.
Did it take away his ability to win in majors?
Well since then, there have only been 2 majors. First at the British, maybe Chris missed that one, but here is what happened. Tiger led from start to finish. Nobody really put him under any pressure, that applies to everyone else, as well as Goosen.
At the PGA, LOTS of people were in contention so lets not pin all the failure on Goosen. Tiger narrowly missed out too, you know.
PS.: In last years tour championships, TIGER threw away a 4 SHOT LEAD and ended up losing to Goosen by 4 shots. That was an 8 shot swing on Sunday AGAINST TIGER.
Personally, I'd say Goosen is likely to win more majors. Last season, the only 2 tournaments he won on the PGA were The US Open and The Tour Championships. Talk about peaking at the right time! He is not my favourite player by any means but he definetely isn't finished in majors.
Well since then he won The INTERNATIONAL and Linde German Masters, so I guess it didn't take away his ability to win.
Did it take away his ability to win in majors?
Well since then, there have only been 2 majors. First at the British, maybe Chris missed that one, but here is what happened. Tiger led from start to finish. Nobody really put him under any pressure, that applies to everyone else, as well as Goosen.
At the PGA, LOTS of people were in contention so lets not pin all the failure on Goosen. Tiger narrowly missed out too, you know.
PS.: In last years tour championships, TIGER threw away a 4 SHOT LEAD and ended up losing to Goosen by 4 shots. That was an 8 shot swing on Sunday AGAINST TIGER.
Personally, I'd say Goosen is likely to win more majors. Last season, the only 2 tournaments he won on the PGA were The US Open and The Tour Championships. Talk about peaking at the right time! He is not my favourite player by any means but he definetely isn't finished in majors.
2005-11-09 @ 13:53
Comment from: Denver Player [Visitor]
Chris,
Just like the Fed Ex commercial says, "you are always wrong."
As Shanks says, winning is tough. Bart Bryant came out strong, and Goosen couldn't respond. Neither could most others in the field. Tiger even struggled to try to close the gap. Bart should get his props for stellar play, and leave it at that.
If Goosen had been in the lead, maybe your argument would have merit. But he was a few back on the final round, and Bart came out and took the tournament by the neck. He put pressure on every other player to take chances to win. Goosen did, and paid the price for doing so. Second sucks for him, so whether he finised second or seventh was immaterial to him.
Just like the Fed Ex commercial says, "you are always wrong."
As Shanks says, winning is tough. Bart Bryant came out strong, and Goosen couldn't respond. Neither could most others in the field. Tiger even struggled to try to close the gap. Bart should get his props for stellar play, and leave it at that.
If Goosen had been in the lead, maybe your argument would have merit. But he was a few back on the final round, and Bart came out and took the tournament by the neck. He put pressure on every other player to take chances to win. Goosen did, and paid the price for doing so. Second sucks for him, so whether he finised second or seventh was immaterial to him.
2005-11-09 @ 17:33
Comment from: td [Visitor]
I bet you would not put money on RG being done, would you??
2005-11-10 @ 11:17
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
I would definitely NOT bet on the Goose being finished. He's got a lot of game and knows how to get the job done. Pinehurst is the kind of course that can get you going the wrong way in a hurry, and keep you going that way. But he's got to be concerned about having several final round flame-outs this year.
The good news - for him - is he's been here before. He was tied for the lead going into the final round at Augusta in 2002, blew up early and wound up with a 74 for 2nd place. But since then he's won 4 times on Tour including the '04 US Open, and a handful of other titles on the European Tour and elsewhere around the world.
I heard one of the announcers say he's been fighting his swing lately and, of course, when put under pressure bad things happen.
The good news - for him - is he's been here before. He was tied for the lead going into the final round at Augusta in 2002, blew up early and wound up with a 74 for 2nd place. But since then he's won 4 times on Tour including the '04 US Open, and a handful of other titles on the European Tour and elsewhere around the world.
I heard one of the announcers say he's been fighting his swing lately and, of course, when put under pressure bad things happen.
2005-11-10 @ 12:35
Comment from: rtd2 [Visitor]
If you want to shock us or raise your critical opinion your stories need to be fact checked and make some kind of sense. Please anyone out there who takes Baldwin seriously come out and leave a comment.
2005-11-13 @ 08:11
Comment from: Johnny [Visitor]
Tiger Woods finished 2nd for the second week in a row.
He really lost his nerve, coming down the stretch, once again, and hit it in the water.
Is this the end of Tiger Woods as a winner?
His confidence must be in tatters.
Tiger is probably finished as a major player.
He really lost his nerve, coming down the stretch, once again, and hit it in the water.
Is this the end of Tiger Woods as a winner?
His confidence must be in tatters.
Tiger is probably finished as a major player.
2005-11-13 @ 14:28
Comment from: John D [Visitor]
It's so great to Tigger lose AGAIN. Maybe some day the hype will go away.
2005-11-13 @ 18:16
Comment from: vernon w [Visitor]
Since Michelle Wie is back in school and not playing right now, Baldwin has to blast someone else so people will read his column. That is all he knows about golf. He really is a one trick pony.
2005-11-15 @ 16:18
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
Vernon, Michelle will be out of school next week to play in the Casio in Japan, so Chris will have plenty to write about.
2005-11-18 @ 14:26
Comment from: Dilbert [Visitor]
It's bul***it that Goosen is finished, I can't understand why so many are on his case all the time.
2005-11-21 @ 11:39
Comment from: JNK [Visitor]
Retief Goosen has what is rare in golf - the ability to "meet Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two Imposters just the same." The humility and grace he shows when playing uncharacteristically poorly is the same as when he is blessed with victory. I hope Mr. Baldwin is up to the same task as Retief plays his way to more significant world-wide victories in the months to come. If Goosen wins a different major will you offer a retraction? Making bold statements about a world class golfer's career is easy after one poor round under intense pressure. Publically eating one's words is a might tougher. Not as tough, however, as being that player who fails so publically , then wins again. Good luck in all that you do.
2005-11-22 @ 11:48
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