Casey has comeback win in his sights
PAUL CASEY has vowed to reclaim the European Tour top spot when he returns to action for the first time since July this week.
The Englishman hasn’t played since suffering a rib injury in the Open Championship at Turnberry and has slipped from first to fourth on the money list as a result.
But the 32-year-old is back for the new-look Volvo World Match Play Championship on Spain’s Costa del Sol, looking to make up for lost time.
Casey, the 2006 champion, will have been pleased to be kept apart in the draw from all three of his title rivals, leader Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy – all of whom would claim the top spot with the €675,000 first prize on offer.
“This is the longest I’ve been out of action and I am really eager to get back out on the course,” Casey said. “I’ve listened to, and followed, all the medical advice and my first goal is to try to win The Race to Dubai, starting with the Volvo World Match Play.”
Not only is the tournament playing outside Wentworth for the first time in its 34-year history, it also takes on a new round robin qualifying system this year.
All three group matches will take place over the first two days with the semi-finals and final played on Saturday and Sunday.
WORLD MATCH PLAY DRAW
Group A: Paul Casey (1), Retief Goosen (8), Anthony Kim (9), Scott Strange (16)
Group B: Sergio Garcia (4), Martin Kaymer (5), Robert Allenby (12), Oliver Wilson (13)
Group C: Henrik Stenson (3), Rory McIlroy (6), Angel Cabrera (11), Simon Dyson (14)
Group D: Lee Westwood (2), Camilo Villegas (7), Ross Fisher (10), Jeev Milkha Singh (15) Seeds in brackets