MAYNOOTH, Ireland: England’s Paul Casey is set his focus on breaking back into the world’s top-50 after his dramatic victory in the Irish Open at Carton House yesterday.
Casey, 35 ended a two-year winless drought by holing a monster 60-foot eagle putt to win the event by three shots with a round of 67 for a 14-under par tally.
Dutchman Joost Luiten (74) and England’s Robert Rock (71) finished joint second on 11-under par with Rock being runner-up for a second time in the event in four years.
Casey arrived in Ireland having slipped from number three in the world in mid-2009 to be lying a lowly 169th on the world rankings, and also missing the early part of the 2012 season after breaking his collar bone in a snow-boarding accident.
Now after his 12th European Tour success, and a first since capturing the 2011 season-opening Volvo Champions event in Bahrain, Casey has set his focus on breaking back into the world’s elite as well as a place in next year’s European Ryder Cup side.
“I’m absolutely thrilled as I always wanted a grandstand finish and I got one,” said Casey in relation to his final shot.
“I’ve never holed a putt like that to win a tournament. I feel over the moon.
“Psychologically, this win is huge. It almost feels like a first win again, that kind of feeling.
“I have struggled with the confidence, and this is a huge relief, knowing that I’m moving in the right direction; that I’ve got great golf left in me for another ten plus years.
“This is a massive confidence boost.
“I can start thinking now of getting myself back in the top-50 on the rankings, the Ryder Cup next year and the goal also is still getting back on the PGA Tour.
“And this win makes my season easier in terms of planning. I was chasing a little bit the last couple of months trying to play everything, because I know I was playing quite well, and it just needed something to click.” AFP
