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Golden Goose U.S. Open champ copes with newfound fame
DULUTH, Ga. (AP) -- Retief Goosen still feels a little out of place. On Thursday, he'll tee off with Tiger Woods and David Duval at the PGA Championship, a grouping that lumps together the winners of the year's first three majors. Woods and Duval are accustomed to playing with this kind of scrutiny. Goosen, a soft-spoken, 32-year-old South African, hasn't gotten used to it yet. "My confidence level is obviously better now than it was in the past, knowing I can play under this sort of pressure and perform well," he said Tuesday after a practice round at the Atlanta Athletic Club. "I'm going to need all the confidence I can get playing the first two rounds with Tiger and David." Goosen won his first major in June at the U.S. Open, but only after a monumental failure on the 72nd hole -- a three-putt from 12 feet left him tied with Mark Brooks. Goosen never wavered, and the story line turned from despair to redemption the following day when he posted a convincing victory in the 18-hole playoff. "That's just one of those things that happen in golf," he said. "Those sort of things are going to happen in the future. Hopefully, not to me again." Goosen followed up the victory at Southern Hills with a solid 13th-place showing in the British Open. Clearly, he has demonstrated the ability to compete with the world's best players. Even so, Goosen sounds like someone who showed up a four-star restaurant wearing shorts and a T-shirt. "I've got a lot to learn in the game still," he said. "There's a lot I still want to do in the game. I'm probably not a long way off, but I've still got some ways to go to get to the game of Tiger and David." Goosen got married four months ago and, even before the biggest victory of his career, he already seemed more at peace. "Just before getting married, he kind of changed a little," said Sergio Garcia, who has played with Goosen on the European tour. "He just seemed happier and he was joking about things, stuff like that. It's great to see him that way. He's actually a very funny guy." To outsiders, nothing seems to faze Goosen. Even before the three-putt debacle, he was dubbed 'Little Easy' because of the apparent similarities with easygoing countryman Ernie Els, who is nicknamed 'Big Easy.' After rebounding to win the playoff, Goosen's icy reputation was solidified. In reality, he worked hard to bring his emotions under control. "I used to have a bit of a temper in my younger days," Goosen said. "I remember once breaking three clubs in nine holes." He eventually brought in a sports psychologist to deal with a lack of confidence. "I'm trying to enjoy the game a bit more," Goosen said. "I think that's why I'm starting to play better. If I play bad, it's not the end of the world." Since the Open, Goosen has been playing more in the United States. Next year, he plans to split his time between the PGA and European tours, perhaps buying a home in the Orlando, Fla., area while keeping his primary residence in London. Certainly, Goosen is more recognized on this side of the Atlantic since his Open victory, though there are limits to his fame. Just last week, he was stopped at the clubhouse door during the Buick Open in Michigan because he has not yet received his PGA Tour badge. "I had to get an official to get me into the clubhouse," Goosen said. Yes, he's still a little out of place.
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