CASEY JOY AT ENDING HIS RYDER EXILE
PAUL CASEY missed out on a wildcard for the 2010 Ryder Cup despite being the seventh-ranked golfer in the world. He missed out in 2012 after going through a messy divorce and in 2014 because he was still piecing his game together following the personal turmoil. In 2016, happily remarried to the television presenter Pollyanna Woodward and back among the elite, he sat on the couch at home in Arizona and watched Europe’s challenge fall apart at Hazeltine. He thought: I could have made a difference. Happily for Europe, and encouraged by captain Thomas Bjorn, Casey (right) acted on those impulses, and rejoined the European Tour. Now, 10 years after his last appearance, he’s deservedly back in the team. ‘I’m overjoyed,’ said the 41-year-old, before breaking into a chant, as if to prove as much. ‘Europe! Europe!’ Casey played under Bjorn at the Eurasia Cup in January and partnered Tommy Fleetwood in foursomes and Tyrrell Hatton in fourballs, comfortably winning both matches. ‘Having tasted that experience in Malaysia, it’s given me a sense of the part I can play,’ he said. ‘I’ve a feeling of who I’ll be partnered with and to play that senior role as I did there, I’d relish that opportunity. I remember playing in the Ryder Cup in 2004 and 2006 and the leaders in the team meetings were phenomenal. I was in awe of Colin Montgomerie, Jose-Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, the way they looked after everybody. It’s nice to be in that position now.’ Casey has a fine matchplay record, stretching back to 1999 when he became just the third golfer in 77 years to win all four of his matches at the Walker Cup. In 2006 he delivered three points out of four at the K Club. ‘I’ve always enjoyed that head to head element,’ he said. ‘There’s something nice about not worrying about how you’re scoring and simply pitting yourself against one opponent.’ Whether the matchplay magic is still there after a decade away remains to be seen, but the way he fought back from falling out of the world’s top 125 in 2012 to re-establish himself in the top 20 for the last three years augurs well. ‘My intensity and hunger is stronger than ever,’ he said. ‘I’m more prepared, more excited and feeling it’s more of an honour to be representing Europe. ‘Once you’ve tasted it, then missed it, there’s no doubt that coming back is much sweeter. It’s going to be fantastic.’