© Copyright 2007 The Goose		Retief Goosen was born in Polokwane, formerly known as Pietersburg, South Africa.  He turned professional in 1990, following a win in the South African Amateur Championship of the same year.  His main achievements since have been two U.S. Open wins in 2001 & 2004 and heading the European Tour Order of Merit in 2001 and 2002 respectively. Since 1995, Goosen has been one of the most consistent players in the world.  He has won internationally every year since 1995 and also won a PGA Tour event every year from 2001 to 2005.  In addition to his numerous achievements, he had enjoyed for a long period of time a position in the top 5 of the Official World Golf Rankings, and in 2006 reached a career-best third place.  Since July 9, 2007 he is ranked 11th in the world but obsevers suggest it may be linked to his change of swing and the enlistment of a coach. Goosen is known for his extremely calm demeanor, a trait that has earned him the nickname "The Iceman" on the PGA circuit.  He is also affectionally referred to as "The Goose".  He further enhanced his reputation as a steely competitor at the 2004 U.S. Open, where he mastered Shinnecock Hills’ extremely fast and arguably unfair greens, draining clutch putt after clutch putt. Retief Goosen is married and has a son and a daughter.  He either resides in Ascot in Berkshire England, Orlando, Florida USA or in Polokwane, South Africa.