Golf-Riviera win would feel like a U.S. Open for Goosen

By Mark Lamport-Stokes PACIFIC PALISADES, California, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Retief Goosen has won two U.S. Opens in a stellar career and the chance to claim a first PGA Tour title in six years at the Northern Trust Open felt like he was in another U.S. Open campaign. Tough scoring conditions all week on a firm Riviera Country Club layout have forced the players to keep grinding in major championship style, ideal territory for Goosen who is known for his gritty, ice-cool approach to the game. "Patience is a big, big key on a course like this," Goosen, who won the U.S. Open in 2001 and 2004, told reporters after seizing a two-shot lead after Saturday's third round. "I have the experience, but it's been quite a long time ago now, 14 and 11 years ago since I won a U.S. Open.

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