Retief Goosen and Ernie Els have been paired together three times in the final round of big tournaments in the last 10 years, and each time the Goose has won.
In 1995 at Randpark he outgunned the Big Easy to capture his first South African Open. In the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, the two South Africans were both in the final threeball but while Els faded, Goosen played the game of his life to outgun Phil Mickelson and capture his second Major championship.
And yesterday in the final round of the 2006 South African Airways Open over The Links at Fancourt the Goose went 3-0 up over his great rival by shading him by one shot to snatch the title.
As far as excitement and the quality of golf goes, there have been few SA Opens to match this one. Goosen started the day three clear of Els and closed with a three-under-par 70 for a 10-under aggregate 282, with the Big Easy second on 283 following a 68. Compatriot Darren Fichardt shot 74 to share third place on 290 with Gregory Bourdy of France, who had a 70.
The shot of the day was Goosen’s chip at the par-three 17th from over the back of the green, from down a slippery slope, from a dead-pan lie. At that stage he and Els were even at eight-under for the tournament.
“I didn’t have much green to work with and I figured if I could pop it up to five or six feet I’d be doing well,” Goosen said. But he promptly knocked it in for a birdie. He has played a bunch of great shots in 2005, but perhaps this was the best.
Now Els, who himself made a fine par save at 17, had to eagle the par-five 18th to force a play-off and gave himself an opportunity by hitting two shots to within five feet of the cup.
But the putt for a three lipped the cup and stayed out and he had to settle for second following a 68 on one of the most difficult courses found anywhere.
“My last SA Open (win) was 10 years ago so it’s been a long wait but this was extra special because you don’t beat Ernie Els every day,” said Goosen.
“He’s just come back from injury but he played great. I got a little lucky at 17 with that chip but that’s golf for you. I’ve had a super year, winning in Asia, Europe, the United States and now here in South Africa.
Goosen is No 4 in the world. Tiger Woods in the undisputed No 1, but don’t be too surprised if Goose gets to No 2 or No 3 in 2006.
Goosen started the day three shots ahead but Els had reeled him in by the eighth, where Els rolled in a short putt to move to three under for the round. All of a sudden it was all square.
Then Goosen, after driving into deep rough, recovered to make a birdie at the ninth (he hacked out of the long grass then hit a wedge to 10 feet and rattled the putt in) to move one ahead again.
And when Els double-bogeyed the par-four 12th after pulling his approach into the water left of the green he was again three behind. But the two players had promised a battle royal and that’s how it turned out because the Big Easy then reeled off three straight birdies.
Suddenly, once more, they were level. Then came the shot of the tournament as Goosen made his two at 17. Els was now one behind and, to his credit, his booming drive at the last was followed by a mid-iron to just five feet.
“I really expected Ernie to make that putt,” said Goosen.
“But it was so close. If I missed my birdie putt and he holes, he wins. If I make mine and he misses, I win. That’s what happened, but it could so easily have gone the other way.”
