England’s Paul Casey ended a two-year victory holing a monster 60-foot eagle putt at the last to capture the Irish Open at Carton House.
The 35-year old Englishman, and former triple Ryder Cup star, came from four shots behind at the start of the final round to win by three and capture a 14th pro career win shooting a score of 66 for a 14-under par total.
It is his first win since capturing the 2011 season-opening Volvo Champions event in Bahrain.
Paul Casey back in the winner’s enclosure in drammatic winner with victory in the Irish Open. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
Dutchman Joost Luiten (74) and England’s Robert Rock (71) finished joint second on 11-under par and with Rock being runner-up for a second time in the event in four years.
Casey arrived in the Irish capital having slipped from No. 3 in the world in mid-2009 to by lying a lowly 169th on the world rankings, and also missing the early part of the 2012 season after breaking his collar bone in a snow-boarding accident.
Now after his 12th European Tour success, and a first since capturing the 2011 season-opening Volvo Champions event in Bahrain, Casey has set his focus on breaking back into the world’s elite as well as a place in next year’s European Ryder Cup side.
“I’m absolutely thrilled as I always wanted a grandstand finish and I got one,” said Casey in relation to his final shot.
“I’ve never holed a putt like that to win a tournament. I feel over the moon.
“Psychologically, this win is huge. It almost feels like a first win again, that kind of feeling.
“I have struggled with the confidence, and this is a huge relief, knowing that I’m moving in the right direction; that I’ve got great golf left in me for another ten‑plus years.
“This is a massive confidence‑boost.
“I can start thinking now of getting myself back in the top-50 on the rankings, the Ryder Cup next year and the goal also is still getting back on the PGA Tour.
“And this win makes my season easier in terms of planning. I was chasing a little bit the last couple of months trying to play everything, because I know I was playing quite well, and it just needed something to click.”
Casey earned a first prize cheque for Euro 333,330 to jump from 81st to 27th on the Race to Dubai.
However he will pass up this week’s French Open and the hope of securing one of the five places off the money list into next month’s British Open.
Instead Casey will now have to win the July 11th starting Scottish Open to qualify and secure the last place into the following week’s Open Championship at Muirfield.
