Tiger Woods won't endure abuse, insists Goosen

Published on Thursday 18 March 2010 20:34

RETIEF Goosen does not believe Tiger Woods will have to put up with a torrent of abuse on his return at Augusta – or anywhere else.

Woods this week announced he was to make his return to golf, following a break to deal with well-publicised issues in his private life, at the Masters, where the tight security means heckling is likely to be at a minimum.

"I don't think he's going to be the bad guy. He's going to be 99.9 per cent the good guy," said Goosen.

"There's going to be that 1 per cent that's going to make comments and that probably is going to make him feel a little bit like the rest of us. Like playing in the US Open you have comments from people trying to put you off and make mistakes.

"I think the most interesting thing is to see what's going to happen when he actually gets out and see what the crowd is going to react like towards the situation. But, in general, I think everybody is happy he's coming back."

The South African encountered his biggest crowd problem when he was battling with fan favourite Phil Mickelson for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills in 2004.

"It's hard, but you try and prove something to yourself and them that you can play with all of that stuff going on," he said. "In a way it makes you a bit more determined to play well."

As for the reactions of fellow players to the world No1, Goosen added: "I think the guys will look at him the same way as ever."