Goosen has eye for merit

US Open winner Retief Goosen stepped up his bid to become European number one for the first time as he stormed to a 10-birdie, seven-under-par 64 to lead the Lancome Trophy by two strokes yesterday.

The defending champion enjoyed a scintillating run of seven consecutive birdies after what he called "a shaky start", in which he picked up two shots in four holes but also gave two away to a saturated St Nom la Breteche course.

Eight players shared second place after 66s -- Swede Mikael Lundberg, Australian Scott Gardiner, South African Jean Hugo and five Britons, Andrew Coltart, Gary Orr, Steve Webster, Gary Emerson and Mark Roe.

World number seven Sergio Garcia was four off the pace but Goosen's playing partner Colin Montgomerie had a 75 after coming home in 40.

Although preferred lies negated his performance, Goosen's run to the 10th was only one birdie away from the European Tour record for consecutive birdies.

It filled the 32-year-old South African with optimism not only for this week but for his maiden money-list success.

"Winning the Order of Merit for the first time is definitely my goal," he said.

"There's a long way to go, but because I don't have any chance of playing in the Tour Championship in the US and I have no more events on the US Tour, I'm definitely going for it.

"I don't want to put myself under pressure, though, and I'm not going to force it."

If Goosen can carry off his third win of the year, to go with his major at Southern Hills and the Scottish Open title, he will move nearly $700,000 in front of his nearest rival Darren Clarke, who has missed this week's event.

He already leads the Irishman by $470,000 and he is $800,000 in front of third-placed Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, who is taking a second week off to nurse his injured shoulder.

"I've put myself in a good position," added Goosen, "especially with Thomas injured and Darren taking time off to enjoy a few cigars!"

Goosen included a 35 foot putt and two from 15 feet in his birdies and sparked his round with a 10-yard chip in from sand on the seventh.

He again praised his sports psychologist coach Jos Vanstiphout. "Jos and I talk about birdieing every hole and I focus on playing my best shot each time," said Goosen.

"That way you have a good chance for a birdie at every hole. I think the time is going to come when somebody gets close to making 18 birdies. Everything's possible in golf."

He was delighted to hear that the $5m inaugural Dunhill Links Championship will go ahead from October 18th-21st, with a first prize of $800,000.

"I'm glad it's going ahead because the prize money is so big," said Goosen. "But there could be a big turn at the top of the order of merit that week."