Retief Goosen

So taken with the game, Goosen returned to the links within a few weeks of the life changing event. In 1990, Goosen won the South African Amateur tournament and quickly turned professional. He spent his early professional career on the South African tour. He won the Newcastle Classic in 1991 and three tournaments the following year. He won the Mount Edgecombe Trophy in 1993 and the Phillips South African Open in 1995. While still on the South African tour he qualified for the European PGA Tour in 1992 but did not win his first tournament until 1996. He had several top ten finishes in 1997, including a win in the Peugeot Open in France. In 2000, after a successful year in 1999, Goosen finished tied for 12th in the U.S. Open Championship.