Costly finish for Retief Goosen

U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen could only rue five dropped shots in his last five holes as he produced an opening 74 in the Open's first round on Thursday.

The South African, who added the Scottish Open title last week to his breakthrough victory in a major championship, was going well enough at two under with five to play before his costly finish.

"It was a disappointing way to round off but, overall, I'm not too upset," Goosen said.

"I had a bit of a bad start and then I played really well actually before I found a bit of rough coming in."

Goosen, who beat American Mark Brooks in a play-off to win last month's U.S. Open, dropped shots at the first and the fifth before he got a good run going round the turn.

He reeled off four birdies in seven holes to get to two under for the tournament with just six to play, but then spoiled his position over Lytham's notorious finishing stretch.

"My game is still there, though, definitely," he said. "I played pretty well today and just the last few holes I missed three fairways and three greens. And that was that -- I made two bogeys and a double-bogey at the 17th.

"Obviously tomorrow I'll have to get a good round in and get right back into it."

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