CASEY IS FAB AT FORTY
English veteran one shot off lead as he reaches big birthday
Waving goodbye to your thirties can be a traumatic experience, but not for Englishman Paul Casey, who bade farewell in style yesterday with a first round 66 to stand just one shot off the lead held by a trio of americans following a fine first day at the 146th Open.
The sight of Casey, who turns 40 today, leading the resistance to the americans might strike some as ironic given his decision not to play in the last Ryder Cup but no one ever questioned his ability to mix it with the best.
US golfers have won five of the last eight Opens to be staged at Royal Birkdale and the nation’s exciting young stars and demon putters prospered.
The last time Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth played tournament golf they won the US Open and Travelers Championship respectively, and they demonstrated once more that nothing breeds confidence like a victory. Their rounds of 65 were matched by Olympic bronze medallist Matt Kuchar, who might feel he should have shot still lower after blazing to the turn in a brilliant 29 blows.
Hailing from Surrey but based for many years in arizona, Casey had a chance to win the US Open last month before faltering over the weekend, and looks in the mood to give himself another opportunity to claim his first major.
‘They say life begins again at 40 and i’d love to show that’s the case by winning the Claret Jug,’ said Casey, who will restrict himself to a quiet dinner this evening by way of celebrating his landmark occasion. ‘There might be no party on the day but there might be a heck of one come Sunday.’
Casey, whose 66 was matched by former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, was not the only Englishman to prosper on a day when the weather, which went from horrid to blissful, gave the later starters a distinct advantage.
veteran Richard Bland is playing in just his second Open, fully 19 years after his first, which was also at Royal Birkdale. never a winner in 413 events on the European Tour, the 44-year-old from Hampshire finished with three straight birdies for a 67 that was matched by ian Poulter, returning to the course where he finished runner- up to Padraig Harrington in 2008. Special mention should also be accorded Welshman Stuart Manley. Out at 6.46am in the worst of the weather, he still shot 68.
Rory Mcilroy was out in the best, which would have been hard to detect during a horrific front nine played in 39 shots. Credit the northern irishman for digging deep on the back nine, as he crafted a wonderful inward half of 32 for an eventful 71. Don’t rule out Rory, now he’s got momentum.
Casey got to the first tee and his mind started having flashbacks to what happened in 2008, when he shanked out of bounds. ‘Was i thinking about it here? How could you not? i was just thankful to keep this one in play,’ he said. So began a typical Casey round, full of shotmaking and moments that leave you shaking your head in wonder as to why he has not won a lot more during his career.
as for Poulter, this was another lovely episode in his comeback from the depths of almost losing his Pga Tour card in april. after missing the last five majors, he was clearly emotional after riding the wave of enthusiasm that greeted him on to every green.
‘The support i received out there was incredible,’ he said. ‘it’s the fans that make The Open so special, they make the players feel great. They definitely gave me a bit of energy on the greens.’
Some of Poulter’s shots were from the top drawer but it was the feisty manner in which he saved par on occasion to preserve the momentum of his round that rekindled memories of the Ryder Cup warrior of old. none was better than the 85-yard pitch shot he hit at the 10th to tap-in range.
‘That was the best par of the day right there,’ he said. not far behind though, was one at the 18th where he splashed out of a greenside bunker to 12ft. Here his mind raced back to 2008, and a putt he holed of similar length on the final day. This one disappeared as well, and was greeted by a fist pump we haven’t seen much of in a while.
Poulter choked up a little when asked what it was like missing so many majors in a row. ‘i tried to spend time with the kids and enjoy that time rather than dwell on the disappointment,’ he said. ‘But it is so easy to get down when golf seems to be pretty difficult. it makes it even more special to be back here today.’
Spieth delivered his lowest Open score to date and what he described as one of the five best rounds he’s played in majors. ‘i’d give it a nine across the board,’ he said. ‘Driving, ball striking, short game and putting. Everything is in check. now it’s just about keeping it consistent.’
During a recent vacation in Cabo, Mexico, Spieth took up an invitation to spend time with the greatest Olympian in history and keen golfer, Michael Phelps.
‘Michael has been a tremendous new friend that i’ve had this last year,’ revealed the 23-year- old Texan. ‘We talked long into the evening and i enjoyed listening to him. He’s told me i can call him at any time for advice and i think i would be doing myself a disservice if i don’t take him up on it.’
a grand day, therefore, but the second round is expected to be played today in some frightful weather. after prospering in the sunshine, it will be interesting to see who’s still on the leaderboard following the tempest.