Goosen - not to be underestimated (Getty Images)

If Tiger Woods had done what Retief Goosen did to win the US Open last year people might still be raving about it now.

But Goosen being the quiet man he is, the hype around him tends not to register on the Richter scale either.

So when all the talk earlier this season was about the 'Fab Four' of Woods, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson a succession of players felt it only right to mention that the number five is no mean performer either.

Shinnecock Hills a year ago remember was the terror track on which 28 of the 66-strong field on the final day failed to break 80.

Goosen and Mickelson somehow managed rounds of 71 and since the South African had taken a two-stroke lead into the day a second US Open title was his.

If the first at Southern Hills in 2001 is remembered primarily for him three-putting from around 12 feet on the last green to fall into a play-off with Mark Brooks the second will mostly be recalled for the struggles of others and the slamming of the course set-up.

But what was remarkable was that Goosen had a mere 11 putts over the final nine holes and only 24 in the round. He one-putted 12 times.

"I just kept trying to focus on leaving myself the best possible next putt," he said. Although they were not playing together it turned into a duel between the South African and Masters champion Mickelson, who took a one-shot lead at the 16th, but then double-bogeyed the next.

"They say the first one is the toughest, but Ill tell you, the second one is just as tough," added Goosen. "I don't really believe that winning the second one is any easier.

"I think it's just the experience and self-belief that makes you stay in the hunt the second time. I just kept telling myself 'you've done it before, you can do it again'.

"I'm immensely proud to be on this trophy. I was proud to be on it once and to be on it twice is unbelievable. There are so many great names on that trophy and I'm really looking forward to coming back to defend it."

Pinehurst staged the event in 1999. That was Goosen's second US Open and, as on his debut, he missed the cut.

"I wasn't particularly fond of it, but I'm in a different frame of mind now than I was then. I feel like I can hit any shot I need to hit on championship courses."

Since 1991 only Woods has finished better than 40th in trying to defend his Open crown. Goosen suffered another early exit in 2002.

The quiet nature is just Goosen's way when he is going about his business.

Ernie Els has spent as much time with him as any player and comments: "He's got a tongue and he does speak.

"You have to sit down with him and talk to him and you'll find out he's pretty interesting.

"He's a family man. Tracy is the talkative wife. You want to get some stories speak to Tracy. She talks quite a lot!

"They're both great people. I've known Retief since we were 12 or 13 years old. He hasn't changed at all. That's Retief - the better you know him the more he's going to talk to you.

"He's pretty serious in what he does on the course. He's into his game. He's not going to be cracking jokes. Practice rounds he's different and away from the course he's different.

"He likes to have a bottle of wine and we get a bit loose here and there, but he's just a very private guy."

Very private, but very talented.