Cape Times

Casey savouring Ryder Cup return

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ENGLISHMAN Paul Casey has been waiting a decade to return to Europe’s Ryder Cup team and is determined to savour everything during his week at Le Golf National.

The 41-year-old featured on winning teams in 2004 and 2006, but was on the losing side in Valhalla in 2008.

He was surprising­ly omitted by captain Colin Montgomeri­e in 2010 at Celtic Manor and missed out again in 2012 and 2014 after struggles with form, while two years ago he ruled himself out because he was not part of the European Tour.

“It’s very special. I think I’ve got more of an appreciati­on this time around,” Casey told reporters.

“I’ve taken notes this week and tried to really pay attention to how special this is.

“Ryder Cups in the past have gone so quickly, I just want to make sure I remember this. You know, at 41, I don’t know how many opportunit­ies I’m going to get to play another European-based Ryder Cup. I don’t want this to be my last.

“But plain and simple, at 41, it’s got a chance that it is. So I just want to make sure that I pay attention to it and enjoy it, deliver points and play my heart out.”

Casey’s last taste of a home Ryder Cup was at the K Club in Ireland in 2006 when he famously won a foursomes match alongside David Howell with a hole-in-one.

He said in the 12 years since, the event has grown in scale.

“The passion is still as intense. It’s just grander,” Casey said.

“It’s just bigger. It’s just been amped up.”

While Casey admits an American team featuring nine major winners, including a resurgent Tiger Woods, looks better on paper, he thinks home crowd advantage can be crucial as Europe attempt to reclaim the trophy.

“The noise will be a good thing. As a team, we’re ready to embrace it and we know that the vast majority of that noise is for us, which is a massive advantage,” he said.

Casey is one of three players aged 40 and over in the team, alongside Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter while the likes of Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia are grizzled Ryder Cup veterans.

Europe also boast five rookies, although Casey played down any suggestion that could be a disadvanta­ge.

“I feel our rookies don’t behave and look like rookies,” world number 21 Casey said.

“They are already incredibly accomplish­ed.” – Reuters

 ??  ?? Paul Casey is one of three players aged 40 and over in Europe’s team REUTERS
Paul Casey is one of three players aged 40 and over in Europe’s team REUTERS

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