Goose relishing Fancourt return

Retief Goosen is excited by the prospect of teeing up on home soil once again this week and feels the Fancourt Golf Resort will prove the perfect venue for the Volvo Golf Champions.

The 42-year-old has enjoyed a progressive start to the 2012 campaign having finished third at the Africa Open and 16th at last week’s Joburg Open.

This week sees arguably the biggest European Tour event ever staged on South African soil, with the Volvo Golf Champions tournament having been moved from Bahrain in the wake of unrest in the area.

Fancourt in the Southern Cape is widely regarded as South Africa’s premier golfing facility and Goosen admits he is a huge fan of the Links course.

Having also shaken off a back injury that dogged him last season, the two-time major winner heads into the exclusive 35-man event in positive mood.

“I know every player here is looking forward to playing this new venue for the Volvo Golf Champions,” he stated.

Positive memories

“I hope they really enjoy their week, because I’d like to see this tournament stay in South Africa.”

Goosen’s last win on the European Tour came in Qatar in 2007, but his recent form has provided reason to believe that wait could soon come to an end.

Indeed, Fancourt holds positive memories for the veteran after he beat compatriot Ernie Els down the stretch to win the 2006 South African Open there.

However, with this week’s field made up of European Tour winners, he is well aware that he will have to be at his very best to prevail.

“I love The Links and I know the golf course very well,” he continued.

“It’s a small field, but it’s such a strong field because every player here obviously knows how to win.

“So every golfer playing this week is going to be tough to beat. There shouldn’t be any pushovers.”