Retief Goosen will be looking for a big improvement in his game when he tees off in this week's Sony Open in Honolulu.
South African not happy after disappointing start to season
Retief Goosen will be looking for a big improvement in his game when he tees off in this week's Sony Open in Honolulu.
The two-time US Open champion gave himself low marks for his performance in the season-opening SBS Championship last week, despite a sixth-place finish.
The South African attributed the close season lay-off for his poor play from tee to green, placing his high finish down to solid putting.
"I just need to work on my ball striking for this week," Goosen said. "I'm not comfortable at all (with my game). If I had to go with a (mark) I'd give myself an F, that's how I feel over the ball.
"That's what holiday does to you when you haven't hit a ball for three or four weeks, so hopefully this week I'll start hitting it a bit better.
"I had my chances (last week) but so did everybody else so I can't complain. I didn't hit the ball well at all but the putting was actually quite good.
"They were tricky greens but I made a lot of putts."
Grateful
Open champion Stewart Cink finished a shot further back at Kapalua but was more satisfied with his ball-striking.
The American was grateful to have a head start on the rest of this week's field as the SBS Championship is only open to those who won on the PGA Tour in 2009.
"That was a great way to start the year, in a tournament like that with a limited field and no cut," Cink said.
"So hopefully I can build on some of the good things I did there and wipe out some of the bad."
A total of 20 players out of last week's 28 starters tee it up again at the Waialae Country Club including the three other major winners of last year, Angel Cabrera, Lucas Glover and YE Yang.
Last week's winner Geoff Ogilvy and Britain's Paul Casey have departed for the Abu Dhabi Championship next week but Casey's compatriots Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Brian Davis kick off their PGA Tour seasons.
