Casey chooses America over Ryder return
THOMAS BJORN’S hopes of persuading Paul Casey to return to the Ryder Cup fold for Paris in 2018 appear fanciful after the Englishman admitted he will not play in a single European Tour event this year. After taking over the captaincy from Darren Clarke, Bjorn said he hoped to persuade Casey, who was badly missed at Hazeltine last year, to rejoin the tour and make himself eligible. For that to happen, Casey would have to commit to four appearances in regular tour events next year but he’s clearly miles away from such thinking. ‘The Open is the only event I shall play in Europe this year,’ revealed Casey, who is based in Arizona. The Open is the one tournament in Europe that doesn’t count towards membership. Casey’s stance will anger some, but the Surrey man, who will turn 40 during the Open, argued: ‘Look at what’s happened to Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald. They’re all great players around my age but they all fell off a cliff in the world rankings in their late 30s while trying to play both tours. It’s clearly a tough ask.’ Casey fell off a cliff himself playing both tours a few years ago but clambered back while concentrating on the PGA Tour in America to re-establish himself in the top 20. ‘With the emergence of all these fabulous young players it’s clearly going to take all my energies over here to make sure I don’t lose ground,’ he said. Casey’s view earned a qualified endorsement from former world No 1 Donald, who is now 94th. ‘You do run the risk of spreading yourself thinly,’ he admitted. ‘If you play five more events in America than Europe you should be much higher in the rankings. It does add up in terms of wear and tear playing both tours. But it’s worth the sacrifice. I wouldn’t trade my four Ryder Cup experiences.’ Meanwhile, here at the Genesis Open at Riviera, the ‘worst storm for 10 years’ forecast to hit the area held off long enough to at least allow the first round to be completed yesterday morning. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama boosted his hopes of becoming world No 1 with three birdies to finish for a 68 and four off the lead held by Arnold Palmer’s grandson Sam Saunders. Jason Day took advantage of the calm before the tempest as well for a 70 and Jordan Spieth shot 69.