I have got nothing to prove, says Casey of surprise call

Paul Casey insisted he did not have a “point to prove” as he prepared to play his first Ryder Cup match in a decade.

The Englishman, 41, was a surprise pick for this morning’s fourballs, alongside debutant Tyrrell Hatton, as Europe captain Thomas Bjorn opted to bench Cup stalwarts Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia.

Casey, though, said he was playing “great golf ” and would “play his heart out” as he looked to help the hosts to a winning start.

“I’ve not got a point to prove,” he said. “I’m just here to play the golf I’m capable of and see what that produces. We’re playing against a brilliant US team and we have massive respect for them. You know, they are better than us on paper.”

Casey, who was part of victorious teams in 2004 and 2006, has scored five points in his three Ryder Cup appearances. He missed out on a wild card in 2010 despite being ranked seventh in the world, before his form fell away.

He said he wanted to make the most of this opportunity as it might be his last. “I want to make sure I pay attention to it and enjoy it, deliver points,” he said. “Play my heart out, but enjoy it at the same time.

“Ryder Cups in the past have gone so quickly, I want to make sure I remember this. 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, at 41, it’s a chance that it is.”

Casey and Hatton beat Garcia and Alex Noren in practice yesterday and Casey added: “I can’t wait. Tyrrell is phenomenal. We paired up earlier this year. We’ve had success so far this week. We beat Sergio and Alex today.

“I mean, this is going to be an amazing week. I’m excited for this man to make his debut tomorrow, and I have confidence in our team.”