Retief Goosen takes Platelet Rich Plasma injections to make it to Masters
Retief Goosen, the swashbuckling South African who landed the coveted US Open twice in 2001 and 2004, is now under a raging threat of an aching back which is growing with each passing day.
Goosen pulled in a strong five-under, 67 at the Tavistock Cup on Tuesday and although there are no visible signs of distress for the moment, Goosen insists that he will undergo the corrective treatment for his ailing back.
Goosen will follow the trail of Vijay Singh and Fred Couples and will take Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections in Virginia Beach, Va. on Wednesday, March 21.
Goosen said, “I hope that when I wake up in the morning, I won’t be in pain, and when I go to sleep, I won’t be in pain,” he explained. “Some guys have instant recovery within a few days, and other guys probably have to go back two or three times, so it’s
a wait-and-see procedure”.
The 43-year-old Pietersburg native has been part of the professional circuit since the year 1990 and has gone over to win no fewer than 44 professional events in the course of his grizzled career.
Goosen hails from a family of sportsmen and his father Theo Goosen, a local real estate agent and amateur stressed and even pressurized him to pursue a career in the sport.
For the moment, the veteran is fighting to stay alive in the cutting edge competition in professional circuit and despite of an aching back, he finished for joint 20th.
He added, “Unfortunately, my game is good right now. There are just certain shots I can’t hit because I can’t flex enough. So it’s disappointing because I’m feeling very good about my game. My short game is good, my putting is good. So yeah, it’s a pity”.
Goosen is hoping to break into top-50 on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) in order to make it to the Masters next month.
The sturdy South African never went over to win the revered title but has an exceptional record at Augusta National.
He finished runner up twice in 2002 and 2007 and has another two joint third finishes in 2005 and 2006. He missed the halfway cut in the event last year.
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