Casey returns to the U.S. Open seeking to make amends
Amid the worst slump of his life, Paul Casey dropped out of the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst after an opening-round 85. This year, he's dropped in on Winged Foot in the best form of his life and eager to reverse his U.S. Open fortunes.
MAMARONECK, N.Y. (PA) -- Paul Casey's last U.S. Open ended with a round of 85 and accusations that he pulled out of the event without giving a reason amid the worst slump of his career.
Twelve months on, the 28-year-old Ryder Cup star approaches this week's championship at Winged Foot in the best form of his life and relishing the chance to set the record straight.
When Casey withdrew before his second round at Pinehurst last year, he was a total of 46-over-par for his last seven rounds of golf. In stark contrast, his last six tournaments on the European Tour in 2006 have produced finishes of 10th, fourth, fifth, fifth, second and 11th.
And not even an injury suffered when he stabbed himself in the hand with a pencil has dampened Casey's enthusiasm for tackling the daunting test Winged Food is set to pose the world's best.
"My game recently has been very consistent, which isn't like me," Casey said. "I've always had my good rounds thrown in with my 'other' rounds. "The goal was to get into the top 50 in the world rankings and get into this and the Open, so it's been a successful period.
"I can't be upset that I haven't managed a win; I have to be excited about playing good consistent golf which I've never done before," he added. "It's a good sign that I've been working on the right stuff. It's felt quite 'normal' as well, it hasn't been anything special. I haven't thrown in a lot of low rounds, it's just every round has been consistent."
Casey came in for criticism last year when he withdrew, but is quick to point out he had informed officials of his back injury and that the USGA "have been very supportive."
"I caught a bit of flak for that but my back was shot, the first round wasn't pretty and I was advised not to play the second round," added the five-time European Tour winner, who is yet to make a cut in three U.S. Open appearances. "I certainly didn't want to get in the way of my playing partners and distract them in any way. I was advised not to play the second day and didn't.
As for the injury he suffered to his right hand on Saturday, Casey explained: "After doing a photo shoot for Nike I was driving off in a buggy and waving and when I went to place my hand back on the steering wheel it caught the pencil.
"It's still very sore but as long as it doesn't split open I will be okay," he added. "I've superglued it together after cleaning it out! It's not affecting the grip too much but when people shake hands it's a problem."
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