Goosen in 5-Way Tie for 1st at a Delayed South African Open

Retief Goosen grabbed a share of the lead at the South African Open on Thursday before play was suspended due to persistent rain.

Not a single player in the field made to the back nine before rain necessitated the delay and some 50 players have yet to tee off at the Durban Country Club.

Two time US Open champion, Retief Goosen, did manage to birdie two of his first four holes to share the lead with veteran David Drysdale and three others.

Not much to say about Goosen’s, or anybody else’s, first round, but the Goose will have a chance to take it to three under on his next hole Friday as he’ll tee off on the short par-5 14th.

The bookmakers certainly liked the way Goosen begun on Thursday and he’s now their outright favourite at (7-1).

Tim Clark, who was a pre-tournament favourite with Ernie Els, is now the books’ second choice even though he has yet to tee off his first round and may have to put in a grueling 36 holes tomorrow.

As was well documented yesterday, the man from Durban should be considered an early frontrunner for the title this week, as he’s coming off one of his best season’s as a professional that included a monumental victory at the PGA’s Player’s Championship.

Clark should be dialed in tomorrow as he tries  to take down South Africa’s national open in his hometown.

The books haven’t changed their views on Clark at all since yesterday and will again send him out at (8-1).

David Drysdale is a long shot pick right now and will have to play some mistake-free golf if he’s going to compete with the likes of Goosen and Clark.

He shares the lead with Goosen thru just 7 holes and comes into Durban playing well after finishing 8th at the Alfred Dunhill Championship last week.

With it so early, not much should be expected of the 35-year old.  Last week’s finish was only the second top-10 he’s had in 2010 after finishing second at the Avanth Masters all the way back in February.

Doesn’t look like the oddsmakers expect much either with Drysdale at (25-1).

Other notables in the field.  Charl Schwartzel and Ernie Els haven’t begun their opening rounds, but they’ll both head out at (9-1) on Friday.

Louis Oosthuizen got it to red numbers thru 6 holes on Thursday and begins tomorrow at (-1).  The books have changed their outlook on the Open champion somewhat as they now have him at (17-1) after pegging him at (25-1) yesterday.

Golf is good for the soul.  You get so mad at yourself you forget to hate your enemies  - Will Rogers