Casey Waited 9-Years For Second Tour Title & 12 Months On Successfully Defends Valspar Championship

5 years ago by Comments Off on Casey Waited 9-Years For Second Tour Title & 12 Months On Successfully Defends Valspar Championship

It took Paul Casey nine years to capture a second PGA Tour title and now he has won a third 12 months on by becoming the first player to successfully defend the Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort near Tampa, Florida.

Casey, 41 went head-to-head with World No. 1 Dustin Johnson over the final posting a last day one-over 72 to win by a stroke with an eight-under par tally.

‘DJ’ was never a threat uncharacteristically failing to post one birdie in a three-over par 74 to end in a share of sixth place at five-under par.

It was fellow American Jason Kokak (71) along with former Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen(69) who shared second place at seven-under par.

Twelve months ago, Casey had denied overwhelming crowd favourite Tiger Woods to capture just a second PGA Tour title.

Now a year later and Casey’s captured a third Tour win to also become the first repeat champion in the 20-year history of the event as well as celebrate a 20th worldwide success while it is also the very first time in his long career the affable Englishman has successfully defended a title.

And Casey’s win also somewhat makes amends in letting slip victory last month in the rain-affected AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am when he had to return on Monday to play two holes but lose out to Phil Mickelson who had thrown all toys out of the pram in not getting his wish to compete the event in the darkness of Sunday night.

“It feels bloody good,” said Casey smiling broadly.

“It was a messy last round but this golf course is just so difficult as I did make some errors including two three-putts where the biggest things.

“In my mind too, I was going up against the World No. 1 and I felt if I beat him I will probably win this (holding up the trophy) but it turned-out to be a very different scenario as Dustin struggled today.

“So yes, I feel so good right now”.

Casey will now head to Texas for this coming week’s WGC – Dell Technologies Match-Play while he’s very excited at the thoughts of heading to the Masters and now just three weeks away.

“This win is mega for me heading to Augusta,” he said.

“I feel good and I know I have got to play like that in going to the Masters.  I drove the ball so well this week and given these fairways are so narrow.

“So, if I drive like I have this week I have a good chance at Augusta, and if, well you hope for the best as you never wish … like I said before you need someone like a Rory or Dustin not to play their best because I am not sure I can beat them when they are on their best game and while I am not as good as they are, I have a good chance.”

 



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