Casey keen to join greats who won the Euro Open

Paul Casey admits he has high expectations of joining the famous names in European golf who have won the Porsche European Open, an event he once worked at as a kid.

Casey claimed his first PGA Tour title since 2009 earlier this season and is joint favourite with Masters champion Patrick Reed for this week’s event at Green Eagle Golf Course in Hamburg.

“It’s been a while since I played a European Open but it’s got a lot of history,” Casey said of an event previously won by the likes of Sandy Lyle, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood and Colin Montgomerie.

“It was played at Walton Heath many, many years ago and I remember going along and watching it and carrying little scoreboards down the fairways.

“It’s got great names on the trophy and it’s about always trying to be part of that fabric on the European Tour, etching your name alongside some of the greats in the game and I’ve love to put my name on this trophy for sure.”

Casey could only finish 51st in last week’s Open Championship at Carnoustie, but remains confident about the state of his game as he seeks to boost his chances of making a first Ryder Cup appearance since 2008.

“The game feels great,” added Casey, who currently occupies the last automatic qualifying place for the European team which will attempt to regain the trophy at Le Golf National in September.

“So far it’s been a solid year and there’s no change in that from last week. We saw a lot of in-form players missing cuts and struggling with it and I love Carnoustie but it just kicks me; I don’t seem to be able to shoot good scores round there for whatever reason, even though I love it.

“It was frustrating to be down the pack but it’s a different golf course this week so there’s no reason why I can’t be challenging for the lead.

“It’s going to be a tough week but I’d love to win this one and my expectations are pretty high. I’m not here just for the good weather.”