England’s Paul Casey, winner of the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth Club and unbeaten in The Ryder Cup at The K Club, has been named The European Tour Golfer of the Month for September.
The 29 year old wrote another record-breaking chapter in the long and illustrious history of the HSBC World Match Play Championship when he produced the biggest victory in 43 finals, defeating Shaun Micheel of the United States by a staggering 10 and 8 margin over the West Course.
Casey, who lives not far from Wentworth Estate in nearby Weybridge, underlined his outstanding form ahead of The Ryder Cup by winning the £1,000,000 first prize and dislodging fellow Englishman David Howell at the top of The European Tour Order of Merit. In the process, he surpassed the victory achieved by another eminent English golfer, Nick Faldo, who beat American Jeff Sluman 8 and 7 back in 1992.
It was Casey’s third title of the season and the Englishman moved on to The K Club in Ireland to play a key role in Europe’s record-equalling 18 ½ - 9 ½ defence of The Ryder Cup. Unbeaten in his four matches, Casey also produced the shot of the week when he holed-in-one on the 14th hole during the Saturday fourball match with Howell to close out their tie against Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson 5 and 4.
Bill Elliott, golf writer for the Observer, said: “This was an incredible month for European golf highlighted, of course, by The Ryder Cup victory. Ian Woosnam captained that Team superbly; Darren Clarke’s performance was outstanding; and Sergio Garcia was the heartbeat, the vibrant face who set the tone and character of the match. Then there was Paul Casey, unbeaten, holing-in-one and only one week earlier winning the HSBC World Match Play Championship to go top of The European Tour Order of Merit.
“There were other notable performances with Bradley Dredge, Ian Poulter and Adam Scott all winning during the month, but Paul Casey was the unanimous decision after a lengthy debate by the panel.”
The Golfer of the Month Award is presented to a European Tour Member each month from January to December for his performance on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition, and at the end of the year the panel will select The European Tour Golfer of the Year.
Winners to date in 2006 have been Henrik Stenson (January), Charl Schwartzel (February), Jean Van de Velde (March), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (April), David Howell (May), John Bickerton (June), Robert Karlsson (July) and Alejandro Cañizares (August).
