Paul Casey reckons he struck another blow for the over-40 year old’s in ending a nine-year PGA Tour drought in capturing the Valspar Championship.
Casey won an 18th pro career title in denying the sports world a fairy tale ending for Tiger Woods who needed to hole a birdie putt on the final green to force a play-off with Casey.
And while Casey was declaring: “I have managed to beat Tiger Woods for a first time in my career” the Phoenix-based Brit jets into London this morning (TUES) in a sombre mood to attend the funeral of the wife of one his closest friends who succumb to cancer on the Saturday of last fortnight’s WGC – Mexico Championship.
Paul Casey holds aloft the ‘Paint Brush’ Valspar Trophy. (Photo – USA Today)
“It is one of those unfortunate situations as everybody, seems everybody has the same story I’ve got. Cancer sucks. It’s just rubbish,” said Casey.
“I actually didn’t think about it too much out there in the final round as I thought more about her when I heard the news while down in Mexico.
“But now I’ve won, I’m more emotional now.”
While he won a 14th European Tour title at the 2014 KLM Open, it has been nine years since his first PGA Tour win with victory at the 2009 Shell Houston Open.
And with many of the game’s 20-year old’s seemingly trading places week-in and week-out on the victory dais, Casey admitted he gleaned inspiration from 47-year old Phil Mickelson who muscled his way to success a week ago in Mexico.
Phill Mickelson become oldest winner of a WGC. (Photo – European Tour/Gettys)
“I loved Phil’s victory. That’s why I thought Tiger was going to win today because he’s probably watched Phil win, I want to win,” said Casey.
“At least it’s another one for the 40 year olds this week, very much so.
“I also got a lot of inspiration from Henrik’s victory at The Open Championship. It’s becoming a young man’s sport and so it’s very rewarding to be able to go up against the young guys and still beat them and still compete with them.
“It’s what I said. It’s one of the reasons I want to play a Ryder Cup because I want to play — especially looks like we’re going to get some of the old characters back. I want to play against a different generation, JT and Jordan and Rickie. Looks like we might have Phil and Tiger.
“That’s what I love about golf. I think the place I’m in and how good this feels and although it’s been nine years since the last victory there’s no reason I feel — there’s no reason I can’t get more victories this year.”
