GOOSEN BIDS TO SHAKE OFF BACK TROUBLES IN INDONESIA OPEN
NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR
Twice Major winner Retief Goosen of South Africa hopes to put a
frustrating season behind him when he headlines the US$750,000 Indonesia
Open from November 28 to December 1.
The
two-time US Open champion (pictured) has struggled with a serious back injury
for over a year but is determined to bounce back into winning form at
the full-field Asian Tour event at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course at
Damai Indah Golf.
“My
golf game has been non-existent in the past year or so with my back
issue. I had a back operation in August last year which was a success.
My back felt great from January to April, but I then picked up a stress
fracture in my back and had to take another four or five months off,”
said Goosen.
“It
has been a disappointing last year and a half. Hopefully this is the
end of it and I can start concentrating on my golf again,” he added.
Goosen
will be joined by decorated Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, a three-time
Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, Indonesia’s highly rated Rory Hie and a
strong cast of Asian Tour stars at the event which is part of the Asian
Tour’s milestone 10th season.
Pablo
Larrazabal, a three-time winner in Europe, will also feature in the
event. The Spanish star will enter the Indonesia Open in fine form after
recording two top-10s in Portugal and Shanghai in October.
After
taking an enforced break from golf and spending time with his family,
the smooth-swinging Goosen is determined to end his four-year title
drought.
A
return to Asia will give the amiable South African plenty of confidence
as he has enjoyed much success in the expansive region, winning twice
in China in 2005 and 2006 and also the 2008 Iskandar Johor Open in
Malaysia.
“Obviously
it was nice spending time with the kids during my break. I don’t think
they have seen their dad this much! It has been a good downtime as well
but I’m looking forward to going to Jakarta and playing some good golf.
Hopefully by then, my game will be good and I can perform.
“I’ve
always enjoyed coming to this part of the world. I’ve been coming here
since the 1990s. The people in Asia recognise me and they are always
friendly. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Goosen.
The
44-year-old, who is also a two-time European Tour Order of Merit
winner, expressed his intention to meet Indonesia’s number one golfer,
Hie.
“I
think golf in Asia is looking very healthy. You can see by the amount
of tournaments that are popping up (there) including World Golf
Championships event. It’s a growing market and a lot of good players are
coming out of there,” said Goosen.
“I
am sure I will find out (about Hie) when I see him in Indonesia.
Qualifying is so tough, tour schools are tough, so it’s just hard to get
yourself on the main tour to show how really good you are. I’m sure he
will at some stage be out here and doing well.”
Fans
from around the world can watch these world class golfers in action
through the live broadcast on the Asian Tour Media platform. Asian Tour
Media will produce 16 hours of live coverage from the event which will
be seen across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin
America plus further coverage and distribution generated via the
highlights and magazine programmes from the event, resulting in global
media exposure for all the sponsors involved in this prestigious
tournament.
Labels: ASIAN TOUR
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