Casey pips Tiger

ENGLISHMAN Paul Casey surged to victory at the Valspar Championship in Florida yesterday as Tiger Woods finished one stroke behind in a tie for second place.

Woods lamented a “couple of putts here and there” that could have produced a different outcome but his performance nevertheless was unmistakable proof that he is a force again after last April’s spinal fusion on his lower back.

He said he felt comfortable mentally during the last round but had not quite had his best game.

“Today wasn’t quite as sharp as I would like to have had it but I had a good chance at winning this tournament. A couple of putts here and there and it could have been a different story,” added the 14-times major champion.

At the par-four 18th Woods missed a difficult 40-foot birdie putt that would have forced a play-off with Casey at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor. For Casey, who carded a 65 to finish 10-under, it was a second victory on the PGA Tour.