Goosen takes 2005 SAA Open
19 December 2005
Retief Goosen birdied the final two holes to win a dramatic final round battle with Ernie Els for the South African Airways Open at the Links at Fancourt on Sunday.
Tied for the lead with Els on eight-under with two holes to play, Goosen chipped in for birdie on 17 and then birdied the last as well to win by a single stroke on 10-under par, with a final round of 70.
Els missed a five-foot putt for eagle at the last for a possible victory or a playoff at worst, and took second place on nine-under with a closing 68 in which he birdied four of the final five holes.
Second national title
It is the second time Goosen has won his national Open following his triumph in 1995 at the Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg where he also beat Els for the title, winning by five strokes on that occasion.
"It's been 10 years since I've last won it and it's great to have the trophy in my hands again," said
Goosen.
"It's been a great year for me. I've won in America, Asia and now South Africa."
Goosen enjoyed a three-stroke lead over Els going into the final round. But Els chipped away at it and drew level with a birdie at the eighth. Goosen responded with a 25-foot birdie putt at the ninth to take a one-stroke lead into the final nine holes.
Double-bogey
The championship seemed certain to go Goosen's way when Els double-bogeyed the 12th after pitching into the hazard left of the green, forcing him to take a penalty drop.
That gave Goosen a three-stroke lead.
But Els surged back into contention with three successive birdies from the 14th to again draw level with Goosen, who had parred every hole since 12.
Both their tee shots missed the green at the par-three 17th. This time it was Goosen who produced the magic when he chipped in from the back of the green to take a one-stroke lead to the 18th tee.
Lipped out
After two solid drives, Goosen was the first to hit and put his second over the back of the green. Els in turn hit a magnificent approach to five feet. Goosen chipped up to three feet, leaving Els his eagle putt. But the "Big Easy" lipped out allowing Goosen a simple birdie putt for the win.
Darren Fichardt and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy shared third on two-under par.
Patrick O'Brien signed for a course record six under par 67, which included six birdies, an eagle and one bogey.
O'Brien started strong with four birdies in his first six holes, but unfortunately only improved to 14-over par for the tournament.
Source: Sunshine Tour
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