Ryder Cup - Casey improves Ryder chances

Eurosport - Wed, 27 Aug 16:38:00 2008

Paul Casey missed out on a play-off at the Barclay's Classic by two shots but his mood improved when he heard a birdie at the last may have improved his chances of making the Europe's Ryder Cup team.

Paul Casey, Oakland Hills, 2008 - 0

Casey drained the 22-foot putt for a one-over 72 and a tie for seventh place on six-under-par 278, two shots out of a play-off eventually won by Vijay Singh.

Later he was told European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo, in his role as a TV commentator, had said as he stood over the putt: "OK, if he makes this, he's in the team."

Faldo quickly backed off the on-air guarantee about how he would use his two captain's picks, but Casey was quick on the uptake at Ridgewood Country Club.

"Oh, we've got it on tape, lawyers would have a field day with that one," the Briton said.

"The Ryder Cup is at the back of my mind right now. I was trying to go out and win a golf tournament today," said Casey, who was one shot from the lead before he bogeyed the par-five 13th. "You know, I'd love to be on that team."

Casey tipped his cap to compatriot Darren Clarke, another contender for selection by Faldo, who won the Dutch Open. He also noted that Ian Poulter, who missed the Barclays cut, was in the mix.

"It's going to be really tough," he said. "I have spoken to Nick. I won't repeat what he said, but he hasn't told me what he's doing yet. He's keeping his cards close to his chest, and I've just got to continue to focus on my game and play good golf."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. Paul Casey and Ian Poulter are more interested in their­ USPGA card than the Ryder Cup if they cared they would­ be at Gleneagles with Justine Rose and Darren Clarke to­ earn the right to be in the team. Nick Faldo will have­ the hardest ever wild card picks from Monty, Clarke,­ Casey or Poulter, I know who I would choose!!! It's­ about time they knighted Nick Faldo for his services to­ golf, perhaps there waiting on the Ryder Cup result,­ look out for this years New Years honours list!!

    From lt67, on Wed 27 Aug 9:32PM

  2. I have net Nick personally on 2 occasions and he a ­ great ambassador for English golf and will be a great­ captain. It seems to some people 6 majors mean nothing.­ Go spank the yanks Nick

    From bpcrutchley, on Wed 27 Aug 5:53PM

  3. So much garbage spouted by those with less talent than­ Faldo has in his little finger. Europe is fortunate to­ have the services of one of the hardest working and­ dedicated athletes golf has ever known. I was not aware­ that a sparkling personality was more valuable in a­ team captain than an unwavering will to win. Faldo has­ my vote.

    From Barry P, on Wed 27 Aug 12:42PM

  4. I agree with Brian & Ian, yes, he was dull as you­ like when he was playing, but he did not have the­ natural golfing gifts as Seve and Norman so hard work­ and dedication was his way. In doing so, he was not­ exactly popular among his peers but they all respect­ what he did. I don't see how anyone can say that he­ did not have any competition in his day? Even when he­ was passed his best, how many people would have made­ Norman lose 6 shot lead at the Masters. I think he will­ be a great captain, all the youngsters will look up to­ him and he knows how to win, what else can you ask of­ him?

    From midgers, on Tue 26 Aug 4:08PM

  5. I Dont care if Faldo has or has not got charisma, he is­ the best golfer these islands has produced bar none and­ as long as he sticks it to the yanks he is the man for­ me. Of course if you guys would prefer Lyle you had­ better be prepared for him to walk away if the team­ starts playing badly... AND I dont remember Norman and­ Seve being past their peak when Falso was winning­ majors you must have a selective memory..

    From BRIAN, on Mon 25 Aug 8:44PM

  6. You Morons,green jackets, record scoring in Ryder Cup­ matches. What do you want a song and dance routine­ after every shot ?. The man is a legend, shame others­ don't display the same level of commitment and hard­ graft.

    From ianwatsonjones, on Mon 25 Aug 7:00PM

  7. I.Christie sums faldo up perfectly, biggest cringe in­ golf history was when he tried to sing "I did it­ my way" at Muirfield. The man has zero personality­ and doesn't deserve the captaincy. He was lucky to­ be at his peak when all others were in decline, he­ never excited followers of the game as Norman and­ Ballesteros were capable of, if he were playing now he­ would be lucky to break into the top 50 in the world

    From stuart c, on Mon 25 Aug 5:06PM

  8. It is a non-story involving a dubious witless comment­ by a captain whose greatest success in the past decade­ is his charisma by-pass operation.

    From IAN, on Mon 25 Aug 12:35PM
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