Retief Goosen, the last European Tour Member to win the US Open Championship in 2001, has been given one of the later start times on the opening day of this year’’s Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York.
The South African will tee off at 1.30pm in the company of Americans Charles Howell III and Justin Leonard, one of the many attractive three balls featuring the 27 European Tour Members who will tee up in the second Major Championship of the 2004 season.
Current Number One on the Volvo Order of Merit, Ernie Els, winner in both 1994 and 1997, will begin his quest for a hat-trick of titles at 8.20am alongside Australia’’s Robert Allenby and Chris DiMarco of the United States, while the winner of the season’’s first Major, Phil Mickelson has Scotland’’s Paul Lawrie and Kirk Triplett for company when he tees off 1.00pm.
Nick Faldo, who was forced to qualify for a Major Championship for the first time since 1976, is rewarded with a first round draw alongside Kenny Perry and last season’’s US PGA Champion Shaun Micheel.
