It has become fashionable to say that Retief Goosen looks like he doesn’t have a pulse. That he motors through tournaments like a robot.
But you don’t do what Goosen did Saturday if you play the game without passion. After rolling along almost effortlessly, he made a bogey on 12 and a double bogey on 13.
It could have been the start of a downward spiral for most golfers. For Goosen, it only was a slight detour.
Goosen showed his heart, albeit a slow-beating heart, by making birdies on three of his last five holes. The finish has him on the threshold of history.
Goosen put together a 69 Saturday during the third round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. At 3 under, he holds a commanding three-stroke lead over Jason Gore and Olin Browne, and he is four shots clear of Michael Campbell and Mark Hensby.
If Goosen holds on, he will be the first player to repeat as Open champion since Curtis Strange did it in 1988-89. He also will become only the sixth player to capture three Open titles, joining some exclusive company. Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus won four each, and Hale Irwin collected three titles.
Goosen clearly is a U.S. Open machine, winning in 2001 at Southern Hills and at Shinnecock Hills last year. While the South African looks to be a virtual lock Sunday, the “Goose” isn’t, uh, counting his chickens just yet.
“Yeah, it’s nice having the lead going into the final round,” Goosen said. “If it were 12 shots ahead, I probably would be a little bit more comfortable. It’s going to be a hard day out there [Sunday]. I’ve got to go out and play for pars and avoid the mistakes like I made today.”
Goosen did take a good tumble Saturday. After making a bogey on 12, he knocked a chip from one side of the green to the other, leading to a six on the par-4 13th. Suddenly, he was at even par.
But Goosen’s brain doesn’t have a panic button. He calmly went about his business. He dropped a 30-foot putt for birdie on 14, then made another birdie on 15. He closed out by chipping in for birdie on 18.
When asked if he ever gets angry or upset, Goosen said he does when his children keep him awake at night, which was the case Friday night. But on the golf course, nothing seems to bother him, allowing him to play seemingly in his sleep.
“There’s a lot of things going on the golf course, but I probably have a good mind to just forget about it instantly,” Goosen said. “Today my mind-set was very good out there. I felt very comfortable and relaxed in a way. You’re always going to be nervous and a bit shaky in this tournament, but I managed my emotions and feelings well out there.”
Browne marveled at Goosen’s calm demeanor while playing with him Saturday.
“The great ones learn how to play to their strengths, and they learn how to be comfortable in an uncomfortable environment, which is what this tournament is,” Browne said.
Goosen will be tough to beat on Sunday. And his closest pursuers aren’t exactly members of the game’s elite. Gore, Browne, Campbell and Hensby haven’t done much on the major front.
One player who has, Tiger Woods, lurks at 3 over after a 72. Woods is hoping for “red numbers” Sunday, but even he concedes it will be difficult to make a big move on a layout as tough as Pinehurst.
“It’s a great stage to shoot a [66 or 67], but it’s going to be hard to do that,” Woods said. “You’re going to have to make some longer putts, because it’s going to be very rare when you see some guy stiff it in there close. You just go out and grind and hopefully sprinkle in a couple of birdies here and there.”
The task would be easier if Goosen stumbles, but Hensby doesn’t expect that to happen.
“I don’t think you’re going to catch Retief,” Hensby said. “Obviously, he’s figured out how to win the U.S. Open.”
Part of the formula is playing four good rounds. Goosen still has 18 holes to go.
“Anything can happen on this golf course,” Goosen said. “You can lose three shots very quickly around here.”
And you can get them back quickly, too, if you play like Retief Goosen.
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esherman@tribune.com
