I’m so glad I missed another ‘Monty moment!’

NO CASEY HEARTBREAK THIS TIME

PAUL CASEY insisted he is hungrier than ever to win the Ryder Cup after avoiding another “Monty moment.”

Casey, then the world No.7, was playing in the 2010 Fedex playoffs when he learned on the course that he was not selected by Colin Montgomerie for Celtic Manor.

He resigned from the European Tour in 2015 to concentrate on keeping his PGA Tour card and was not eligible for Hazeltine two years ago.

But after rejoining at the end of last year and holding off Tiger Woods to win the Valspar Championship in March, the veteran of two winning European teams has been rewarded with a pick for Paris.

European skipper Thomas Bjorn (right) called his selection a “no-brainer.” And the world No.16, now 41, said: “It’s been 10 years since I last played a Ryder Cup and I’m not sure I have the words to describe the great feeling of joy and relief.

“It was frustrating to be on the outside two years ago and I know the feeling of missing out, as I did in 2010 – that was the naughtiest one.

“I would like to have qualified automatically but I had great dialogue with Thomas all the way through.

“He had some very tough phone-calls to make this week but I got the phone-call I wanted, and yeah, no more Monty moments.”

Match-play specialist Casey, who nailed a Ryder

Cup hole in one at the K

Club in 2006, added: “Without question my hunger and intensity will be stronger after 10 years away. I’m probably more prepared, more excited, and I feel it’s more of an honour than ever to be representing Europe.

“I feel I can be a massive part of the team, on and off the course, and I’ll do everything in my power to assist Europe in trying to win back the Ryder Cup. Once you’ve tasted it and you’ve missed it, coming back is so much sweeter. “I’ll be enjoying this as much as I possibly can while knuckling down and trying to do it for Thomas and the rest of the team. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Swede Henrik Stenson missed the first Fedex Cup playoff to rest his injured elbow but insisted he would be fit to play all five matches in Paris between September 28 and 30. “Fitness-wise, we’re good,” said the Swede, 42. “I can’t say that I can do 40 pull-ups at the moment but I probably couldn’t do that before the elbow problem. “I’m in pretty good shape. I’m working hard at my physique at the moment and working hard at my golf game.

“I’m hoping we get to the place we need to be in three weeks and be ready to play some good golf.”