What they said: Retief Goosen

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SONY OPEN AT HAWAII: Transcript archive

Q. 18 holes on the golf course and you managed to birdie half of them?

RETIEF GOOSEN: That's true, yes. Obviously you take that sort of round any day around this course.

Q. Let's just look at some of your numbers 12 of 14 fairways, 16 of 18 greens, obviously, a brilliant ball striking day?

RETIEF GOOSEN: It was, yes. Today I missed the first fairway on the first and made bogey and from there I played solid. And then just hit a poor 6 iron into the last and a bad 5.

Q. You shoot 62 with a bogey on the card. So sometimes good things happen when you put a score on the card on that first hole?

RETIEF GOOSEN: For, sure, yes, you know you want to get off to a good start, make you feel like you could get a good round going, and I made bogey. I then I hit a very good second into the second to about two feet and on its way.

Q. Is this enough, 12 under?

RETIEF GOOSEN: No, I don't think so. I think it's going to be one or two short.

Q. How is the course playing, obviously you played the middle of the fairway today where the course sets up much easier, what will the players in the last group expect as they make the turn on 9?

RETIEF GOOSEN: Yes, obviously, you know, 12, 13, 14 are very tough holes and 16. And 17 and 18 could be a birdie will be playing straight down hill. 18 anyway I hit a 6 iron. You definitely have a chance your last couple of holes.

Q. By the way did you notice how the TOUR set up the course on the back 9; every flag stick was 4 off the edge for the last nine holes?

RETIEF GOOSEN: Yes. No, today, I knew where all of the flags were going to be, in their toughest position. I'm sort of leaving those for Sunday.

Q. Does it give you a lot of confidence using the long putter the first two weeks of the year?

RETIEF GOOSEN: Yes, it does. Yes, two good weeks on the greens. Except yesterday I didn't make much, but I don't think I hit the ball well either. Yes, I putted nicely. It's been good.

Q. Even though you shoot 62, I'm assuming you might want to have the second shot at 18 back.

RETIEF GOOSEN: Yes. No, it was a little bit in between a 5 and a 6. (Inaudible). It's not a bad place to be on this hole, you know. I went with a 6 and probably trying to hit it maybe a little bit too hard and came out of it. I hit a great bunker shot to where I hit it. I played too much break on it.

Q. What's the best part of the course for you today and working on your game? (Inaudible)?

RETIEF GOOSEN: From the second to the 17th was great. Today, driver. I hit a lot of fairways today. I only missed two fairways. If you can play this course from the fairway you got a chance when you go to the flag. The flags all today are just behind the bunkers.

Q. When did you allow yourself to think I might be able to get my nose in front and win the tournament?

RETIEF GOOSEN: Well, really after I birdied 14. I thought to myself I could finish with three or four birdies, you know. I can definitely have a chance to win. I birdied 16, and 17, and 18 you know, you're sort of thinking it's an easy birdie hole. But I played it great, just missed it, that's all.

Q. Could you talk a little bit about The International feel of this field, you coming back here to Hawaii?

RETIEF GOOSEN: Yes, it's to nice to be back here obviously, especially after last week's events. The past couple of times I played here I didn't do well at all. It's the first time I really got it sort of going around of scores. Hopefully I'll be back next year.

Q. Can you assess two different weeks in Hawaii it can be many different things; it's difficult sometimes it can be very windy, two different golf courses, how do you feel like you did when you go back on the plane tonight?

RETIEF GOOSEN: Well, I'm happy. Last week one bad round. This week one bad round, which was yesterday. So that cost me. So overall I'm quite happy, I think it's worked out after a month break. Working on the putting, you know, it's just been two weeks now the way I've been putting. And I'm pitching good putts. I'm looking forward to the rest of the year.

Q. Has it been worth the travel?

RETIEF GOOSEN: Yes, of course. It's a long way but once you're here, it's worth it. I had a good time with the family last week, but they're back in London now at school, so I will be on my way the first thing tomorrow morning.