paul casey
Tag: paul casey“I love match play” – an interview with Paul Casey
Interview reproduced courtesy of Society Living Magazine
AT NUMBER THREE IN THE WORLD (AT TIME OF PUBLISHING) PAUL CASEY WILL BE THE HIGHEST RANKED PLAYER COMPETING IN THE VOLVO WORLD MATCH PLAY AT FINCA CORTESÍN THIS MONTH, AND KEEN TO JOIN AN ELITE GROUP OF PLAYERS TO HAVE WON THE TITLE MORE THAN ONCE (HE WAS VICTORIOUS IN 2006). HE SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO SOCIETY LIVING ABOUT HIS CAREER, AND YEAR, SO FAR – AND HIS GOALS FOR THE FUTURE
How and why did you start playing golf, and what has been the biggest influence on your career? My dad introduced me to golf. I loved playing all sports from an early age but started to focus on golf as I got older. Dad is still really involved in the amateur game in England. My coach, Peter Kostis, has been a big influence on me in recent years.
Your favourite course in the world and why? Cypress Point – if you see a picture of the 16th and 17th you’ll understand why.
How do you feel you are playing right now – at least before you had to pull out of the BMW Championship (on the US PGA Tour)? Of course, after three wins I was really happy with the way I was playing before I hurt myself. It is very frustrating to have to take time out injured when you have been playing and performing great and especially at such a crucial time in the season. Still, you can look at it either way: it would obviously be a lot worse if I had a terrible season and then had to sit out for a couple of months without the opportunity to get out there and turn it around. I just want to make sure I don’t rush coming back – intercostal muscles take quite a bit of time to heal and you can easily set yourself right back to square one if you aren’t careful.
When did you realise you had made it? That’s a tricky question. I think while you are always aiming for new goals or to improve yourself you never sit back and think, “Well done me, I‘ve made it.” Until I achieve all that I believe I am capable of, and that includes some majors wins, I don’t think I will ever consider that I have totally made it. I am obviously proud of what I have achieved so far, including my tournament wins, Ryder Cup achievements and reaching world number three – they are all great, but I still believe I can achieve so much more.
Paul Casey to reapear at Finca Cortesín
“While I feel I am extremely close to being fully fit I have decided to heed advice and withdraw from the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. I am really disappointed as it is a fantastic event and one I am very sorry to miss but I know that coming back too soon could undo all the rehabilitation work I have done. It has been a very frustrating time but I feel my patience is being rewarded having now completed several light practice sessions with no ill effects. I am looking forward to building on this over the next few weeks to get my game in shape for my return. My first event back will now be the Volvo World Match Play Championship where I hope I can get my Race to Dubai campaign back on track.”
***Paul is recovering from a tear of the internal oblique at the 10th and 11th rib and an intercostal strain in the same area.***
