Retief Goosen is one of South Africa’s finest ever golfers, with a pair of US Open wins among 40 worldwide victories in his career.
Born in February 1969 in the South African town of Pietersburg, Goosen began playing golf at a young age, thanks to his father, who was a decent amateur golfer himself. Goosen turned professional at the age of 21 in 1990, and has gone on to win 40 times throughout his professional career, including wins on the PGA Tour and European Tour (now DP World Tour).
Goosen is a two-time major champion, with both of those victories coming at the US Open. 2001 saw the South African defeat Mark Brooks in the traditional 18-hole playoff to claim his first major crown. Three years later, Goosen would win the title again, winning by two shots at Shinnecock Hills. The South African also has a senior major title, having won the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship, in what was his first win on the PGA Tour Champions.
On the international stage, Goosen is a winner of the WGC-World Cup, successful in the 2001 edition of the competition for South Africa alongside Ernie Els. The South African also played for the International Team in the Presidents Cup in six consecutive editions of the tournament, from 2000 to 2011.
Retief Goosen | Legends Profile
Personal Information
Name: Retief Goosen
Born: February 3, 1969
Nationality: South Africa
Residence: Polokwane, South Africa / Virginia Water, England / Orlando, Florida, United States
Career
Turned Pro: 1990
Professional Wins: 40
Highest World Ranking: 3 – January 15, 2006
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Masters Tournament – 2nd/T2 (2002, 2007)
– PGA Championship – T6 (2005)
– US Open – WON (2001, 2004)
– Open Championship – T5 (2005, 2009)
Professional Wins – 40
1991 (1) – Iscor Newcastle Classic
1992 (3) – Spoornet Classic, Bushveld Classic, Highveld Classic
1993 (1) – Mount Edgecombe Trophy
1995 (1) – Phillips South African Open
1996 (1) – Slaley Hall Northumberland Challenge
1997 (1) – Peugeot Open de France
1999 (1) – Novotel Perrier Open de France
2000 (2) – Trophée Lancôme, Nelson Mandela Invitational
2001 (4) – US Open, Scottish Open, Telefónica Open de Madrid, WGC-World Cup
2002 (3) – Johnnie Walker Classic, Dimensions Data Pro-Am, BellSouth Classic
2003 (3) – Trophée Lancôme, Chrysler Championship, Tiger Skins Game
2004 (4) – US Open, Smurfit European Open, The Tour Championship, Nedbank Golf Challenge
2005 (4) – The International, Volkswagen Masters-China, Linde German Masters, South African Airways Open
2006 (2) – Volkswagen Masters-China, Nelson Mandela Invitational
2007 (1) – Commercialbank Qatar Masters
2008 (2) – Iskandar Johor Open, Riffa Views Skins Game
2009 (2) – Africa Open Golf Challenge, Transitions Championship
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PGA Tour Champions Victories
2019 (1) – Bridgestone Senior Players Championship
2022 (1) – Hoag Classic
2024 (1) – Galleri Classic
2025 (1) – Sanford International
Achievements and Awards
European Tour Order of Merit Winner – 2001, 2002
European Tour Golfer of the Year – 2001
PGA Tour Champions Rookie of the Year – 2019
PGA Tour Champions Byron Nelson Award – 2019
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Retief Goosen
When and where was Retief Goosen born?
Retief Goosen was born in the town of Pietersberg in South Africa in February 1969. He started playing the game at a young age, with father Theo having been a decent amateur golfer.
When did Retief Goosen turn professional?
The South African turned professional in 1990 and after spending some time on the Southern Africa Tour, he qualified for the European Tour for the 1993 season.
How many major titles has Retief Goosen won?
Goosen has won two major titles, along with a senior major in his long career. His two major wins both came at the US Open, with the South African winning the tournament in both 2001 and 2004. His senior major victory came 15 years later, at the 2019 Bridgestone Senior Players Championship, in what was his first win on the PGA Tour Champions.
Who is Retief Goosen married to?
Retief Goosen is married to wife Tracy, with the pair getting wed in 2001. They have two children – Ella Ann and Leo.
Did You Know?
Almost Identical Major Wins
Incredibly, Goosen’s two US Open victories saw him finish the tournament at 4-under par, with a total score of 276. In both of his wins, he recorded rounds of 66, 69, 70 and 71 (with the 71 being the final round score for both). The only difference was that he had to go through an 18-hole playoff to claim his first major – the 2001 US Open at Southern Hills.
A Major Win To Start Senior Golf
Goosen started life on the PGA Tour Champions at the age of 50 in 2019. He went right to the top, winning the tour’s Rookie of the Year award that season, thanks in part to his first victory on the tour. That came in a major championship, the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship, at Firestone CC in Ohio.
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Struck By Lightning
At the age of 18, Goosen was struck by lightning while playing a friendly round at Pietersburg GC in his home nation. His clothes and shoes had been burned and disintegrated, while the South African still has a scar on his wrist from where his watch band had melted into his skin. He spent some time in hospital, but incredibly, was back on the golf course just three weeks later.
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