Goosen gets to grips with stormy British Open (AFP)

by Allan Kelly 9 minutes ago SOUTHPORT (AFP) - South African Retief Goosen set the pace in the British Open on Thursday on a day when wild weather turned the Royal Birkdale links into a brutal battle for survival. The two-times US Open winner bounced back from a double-bogey six at the fifth, sinking monster putts at the 12th and 14th holes en route to a gutsy one-over par 71 and the outright lead in the clubhouse. He had a shot at being the only player among the early starters to match par as scores ballooned in the appalling conditions into the high 70s and 80s, but a wayward drive at the last resulted in a bogey. Next best was South Korea's KJ Choi who went out in par 34 and held on through the tough back nine for a two-over 72. "It was tough out there especially on a golf course like this," Goosen said. "It reminded me of... [read full story]