Planning to at US Open

need to know that you can stay in a good mental place. So that was huge for me.

“I came out of that with a lot of confidence and then two weeks later, I won again.”

PAUL Casey was pleased to miss the cut the last time Shinnecock Hills hosted the US Open but now has his sights set on joining an elite club by winning the year’s second Major championship at the same venue.

Rounds of 74 and 73 meant Casey was watching on television when play in the final round in 2004 – in which 28 of the 66 players amazingly failed to break 80 – had to be suspended to water the seventh green, which had already been described as “ridiculous” and “unplayable” by Ernie Els a day earlier.

But the world No 12 is relishing a return to Shinnecock Hills for this year’s US Open as he tries to become just the third English winner – after Tony Jacklin and Justin Rose – since 1924.

“I remember watching a lot of it on TV in 2004. I was so happy I missed the cut!” Casey said.

“But it’s one of my favourite courses and I’ve played it since.

“It’s in a beautiful part of the world and National Links next door might be an even better course but it’s one of the finest we play on.

“Set up dictates everything with a US Open and I think they’ll get it right this time. It’s going to be spectacular.”

the US Open gets under way at Shinnecock Hills later this week.