Oh Yes! Goosen wins with putter created in Britain

Britons, indeed European golfers, may not have covered themselves with distinction in the US Open but there’s a corner of England that is taking much credit for Retief Goosen’s victory at Shinnecock Hills on Sunday.

Harold Swash, the Southport septuagenarian ‘Putting Doctor’ designed the putter with which the South African claimed his second US Open in four years with a display on the treacherous greens that silenced even the partisan New Yorkers.

Goosen, who finished on four under par 276 and won by two shots, was using the same Yes Golf Tracy putter, with Harold’s distinctive C-Groove face technology, with which he won the 2001 title at Southern Hills.

His amazing 24 putts in the final round – including 12 single putts – was the vital difference between him and the fans’ favourite Phil Mickelson in second place after a thrilling last nine holes in which advantage ebbed and flowed from one to the other.

Goosen took only 111 putts in four rounds, on greens that were at times described as ‘impossible’ – hard, fast and so difficult to read for line and pace that most of the 156 players putted off the green at least once during the week.

The European contingent, used to slower putting surfaces, couldn’t handle the conditions and Sergio Garcia was best placed (in a tie for 20th) - 15 shots behind the winner.

Daniel Chopra (Sweden) and Padraig Harrington (Ireland) were 22nd and 31st respectively on 12 and 15 over par after final round 75s. Leading Briton was Lee Westwood on +16 after a closing 79 with Phillip Price on +22 after disappointing weekend rounds of 75 and 84.