Golf
Goosen best of a sorry bunch
2009-06-23 12:34
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Retief Goosen (Gallo Images)
Garrin LambleyCape Town - Retief Goosen's tie for 16th place at the US Open was the best finish in an otherwise forgettable tournament for South Africa's golfers.
All told, seven South Africans teed off last Thursday in the 109th US Open at Bethpage Black outside New York.
The biggest disappointment was the performance of two-time US Open winner and highest ranked SA golfer (19), Ernie Els, who carded rounds of 78 and 77 to finish in a tie for 147th on 15-over-par and miss the cut by a staggering 11 strokes.
Charl Schwartzel, 64th in the latest ranking, posted rounds of 77 and 70 to finish on seven-over-par, three strokes outside the cut-line.
James 'Cobra' Kamte performed well in his first US Open, firing rounds of 74 and 72 to miss the cut by two strokes while Rory Sabbatini was left kicking himself after a late bogey in round two saw him miss the cut by a single stroke after signing for 72 and 73.
Fairing somewhat better - and pleasing their bank managers - were Andrew McLardy who finished in a tie for 54th and banked $22 501 (R185 000) and Tim Clark, now up to 29th in the world, who posted rounds of 73, 71, 74, 71 which was good enough for a tie for 40th and $38 492 (R316 000)
Goosen, himself a two-time US Open victor, threatened the leaders with middle rounds of 68, but an opening 73 and a closing 74 put pay to his chances. The smooth-swinging Polokwane-born star will have to console himself with $122 128 (R1m) in earnings...
US Open winner American Lucas Glover banked a cool $1.35m (R11m) and jumped into the Top 20 - into 18th spot - for the first time.
Runners-up Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ricky Barnes all cashed $559 830 (R4.6m) with Mickelson remaining No 2 in the world, Duval jumping from 882nd to 142nd and Barnes now ranked 153rd after his strong showing.