Retief Goosen of South Africa, whose magnificent victory in the US Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club saw him capture his second Major Championship, has been named as The European Tour Golfer of the Month for June.
Goosen, who also won the US Open Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in 2001, emerged from a titanic battle with Masters Tournament Champion Phil Mickelson, producing a spectacular putting display to card a final round 71 for a four under par total of 276 and a two shot winning margin.
“I am very honoured to have been voted The European Tour Golfer of the Month for June and it is a wonderful way to crown what was a fantastic week for me at Shinnecock Hills,” said Goosen.
“Going into the week my ball striking was probably the best it has been for some time and I knew that would be the key. When I saw the course on the Monday I really liked it and I felt comfortable on the greens from the first hole onwards. I suppose anybody would like to win one Major in their career but to have two under your belt is great.”
Other players considered for the June award included Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott who, together with Goosen, made it a memorable month for European Tour Members on the US PGA Tour with respective victories in the Memorial Tournament, the Buick Classic and the Booz Allen Classic.
In Europe, the performances were no less impressive, in particular from Jean Francois Remesy, who delighted the whole of France with a superb performance at Le Golf National to become the first home player since Jean Garaialde in 1969 to win the Open de France, Remesy eventually triumphing by seven shots.
Other fine victories were recorded by Simon Khan, who included a course record 61 on his way to his maiden victory in The Celtic Manor Wales Open; Miles Tunnicliff, who led from start to finish to post a five shot winning margin in The Diageo Championship at Gleneagles; and Philippe Lima who followed up victory on the Challenge Tour in the Segura Viudas Challenge de España with success in the Aa St Omer Open the following week.
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The award is presented to a European Tour Member each month from January to November for his performance on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition. Previous winners this year have been Miguel Angel Jiménez (January), Ernie Els (February), Adam Scott (March), Vijay Singh (April) and Scott Drummond (May).
