Masters champion Immelman not eyeing slam

By Larry Fine

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - U.S. Masters champion Trevor Immelman is the only player capable of winning the grand slam this year. The South African, however, disputes that.

"I would be the happiest guy on earth if I did it over the span of a career," Immelman, 28, told reporters at Torrey Pines on Tuesday before the U.S. Open, second of the year's four major championships.

"We can safely say that if I do it this year I will retire, okay? There's no chance of that."

That is not to say Immelman lacks confidence.

"I think the biggest thing it gave me is that I proved to myself that if I play my best golf I can win any tournament," the South African said of his triumph at Augusta.

Immelman floundered on tour following his Masters win, a customary reaction for a first-time major winner distracted by off-course demands and a new status in the game.

"Obviously it's been life changing for me. So there were a few things, off the course activities, that I had to get used to," he said.

"For two or three weeks after, I think you're trying to convince everybody else that you're fine. But I never for one second said that. I mean, I was absolutely smoked afterwards."

Immelman believes he is back on track after a birdie-birdie finish at last week's St. Jude event to get into a playoff.

"Once I got into the hunt I actually felt really comfortable," he said. "Coming down the stretch on Sunday I really was pretty excited about being in that situation.

"For me to pull that off that was nice coming into this tournament, just gave me that extra little bit of confidence."

GOOD FEELINGS

Immelman has good feelings about Torrey Pines, where he won the U.S. Amateur Public Links title 10 years ago, and the Southern California coastal area.

"It reminds me a lot of Cape Town where I grew up and where I'm from. The coast line, the vegetation, everything is similar to where I grew up. I love it here," he said.

While Immelman downplays his chances of a sweep, he savors the opportunity to ring up another major title.