Paul Casey was joking that a pooch named ‘Digby’ didn’t drop his ball in the hole rather than running off with it during the second day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Casey, along with Olumpic swim legend Michael Phelps as his playing partner, were on the 12th hole at Kingsbarns, and the third hole of their round, when the dog ran onto the green.
Paul Casey with ‘Digby’ and the dog that nicked his Nike. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
“The dog was roaming around the 10th tee when we teed off but then when it was still with us at the 12th, I went over to make friends with it,” said Casey.
“To be honest it looked a bit lost. I noticed his name was ‘Digby’ but I didn’t get the phone number.
“Next thing the dog grabbed my ball and ran off with it up the hill to the 13th tee.”
Casey replaced the ball, as he is entitled, before a spectator returned with Casey’s original ball from where he two-putted for birdie on route to a round of 69 for a three under par tally.
Phelps capped his round by holing a 51-yard putt at their 15th hole for a net hole-in-one.
The American , who retired from the London Olympics with 22 medals, is playing off a handicap of 18.
And fact Phelps had a stroke on the hole meant signing for a ‘one’ on his scorecard.
“That was the longest putt I’ve ever holed,” he said.
“It was pretty incredible, watching it dive in was a pretty cool feeling. So to be able to have a net hole-in-one was pretty special.
“Even without that, this trip would have been very special, just having the opportunity to come over here and play amongst some of these players has been absolutely incredible.”
Phelps then recorded a net eagle ‘two’ at the next on route to a team score of 63.
Casey and Phelps looked to as though they’ve been enjoying themselves over the first two rounds but then Casey said there’s no chance he could ever match the American in the pool.
“I’m a crap swimmer and I would sink,” said Casey laughing.
“I don’t know if I could swim 25 yards. I have no idea, Bernie (McGuire – www.golfbytourmiss.com). I do have a pool at home. But hot tub is my thing. I’m good at doing laps in the hot tub.”
And in the team event, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and his partner head the event on 21-under par.
