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Paul Casey
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Paul Alexander Casey (born 21 July 1977) is an English golfer who is a member of LIV Golf. He has also played on the US-based PGA Tour and the European Tour. In 2009, he achieved his highest position, third, in the Official World Golf Ranking.[2][3]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Casey was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, but moved with his family to Weybridge, Surrey at the age of six. After attending Cleves School, Weybridge and then Hampton School, west London, he studied A levels at Strode's College, Egham, Surrey.
Amateur career
[edit]Casey attended Arizona State University on an athletic scholarship. His amateur career was distinguished. In the US he won three consecutive Pac-12 Championships (1998, 1999 and 2000). In 2000 he broke the championship scoring record held by Tiger Woods (18 under par) with a 23-under-par 265.
Back on the other side of the Atlantic he won the English Amateur in 1999 and 2000. He was also a member of Great Britain and Ireland's winning 1999 Walker Cup team, where he was only the third player in 77 years to record four victories without a single defeat.
Professional career
[edit]Casey joined the European Tour in May 2001, and recorded a second in his fifth event and a win in his eleventh, the Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship. He ended that season 22nd on the order of merit and won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. After a disappointing second season he won the ANZ Championship and the Benson and Hedges International Open in 2003, and came sixth on the Order of Merit.
Casey did not win any individual titles in 2004, but he was a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup team and also won the WGC-World Cup for England in partnership with Luke Donald. Another highlight of his year was a sixth-place finish in his first Masters. He joined the PGA Tour shortly afterwards as a Special Temporary Member and his membership of the 2004 European Ryder Cup Team qualified him for membership of the US based tour for the 2005 season. However he continues to play mainly in Europe, and was the leader of the European Tour Order of Merit in 2006, until Pádraig Harrington overtook him in the final event. He re-joined the PGA Tour in 2009.
Casey has featured in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking and was the highest ranked Englishman for a time. In January 2007 he reached a career high of No. 13 in the rankings.[4]
In 2006, Casey won the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, beating Shaun Micheel 10 and 8 in a record victory for the final. Casey became the only player in Ryder Cup history to win a foursome match with a hole-in-one on Saturday, 23 September 2006, in Ireland.
Casey sparked controversy in November 2004, when in an interview for the Sunday Times newspaper he reportedly said, of the US Ryder Cup team, "Oh, we properly hate them. We wanted to beat them as badly as possible". Several leading American golfers, including Fred Funk and Davis Love III, publicly dismissed the controversy surrounding Casey as tabloid mischief. Casey later apologised, saying the remarks were taken out of context and using the word "hate" was an error. Casey said he has an American coach (Peter Kostis) and an American girlfriend, and says he "has nothing against America".[5]
Casey earned his first PGA Tour win on 5 April 2009 by defeating J. B. Holmes in a one-hole playoff at the Shell Houston Open.[6] This win took him to No. 6 in the Official World Golf Ranking.[7]

Casey won his milestone 10th event on the European Tour at the 2009 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey, where he won by one stroke over Wentworth resident and fellow Englishman Ross Fisher. This win vaulted Casey to a career high of 3rd in the Official World Golf Ranking.[2] He had been ranked at No. 41 at the beginning of 2009.[3] Casey suffered a rib injury at the 2009 Open Championship, limiting the amount of golf he could play in the second half of 2009.
In January 2011, Casey won the Volvo Golf Champions tournament in Bahrain, which was his first win for 20 months.[8]
Casey won the 2012 Telus World Skins Game in Canada, having defeated Jhonattan Vegas in a tiebreaker during the event in July.[9]
In June 2013, Casey won his 12th European Tour title at The Irish Open to end a two-and-a-half-year winless drought, due to form and fitness problems.[10] He captured the title with a final round 67 in changeable conditions, to win by three strokes over Joost Luiten and Robert Rock. He had begun the day four shots behind the leader Luiten, but a run of five birdies in six holes in the middle of the round opened up a three shot lead. It was reduced to one stroke, when Casey bogeyed the 15th and 16th, but a closing eagle on the par five 18th sealed the victory.[11]
In September 2014, Casey won his 13th European Tour title at the KLM Open in the Netherlands, his first victory of the 2014 season. He took victory after posting a final round 66, putting him one shot ahead of runner up, and fellow Englishman Simon Dyson. He started the final round four strokes off the lead of Romain Wattel. The victory was especially emotional and gratifying as Casey's wife Pollyanna had given birth to the couple's first child two weeks prior to the event.[12]
In 2015, Casey chose to give up his European Tour exemption and focus solely on the PGA Tour, citing a need to lessen his travel.[13] In February 2015, Casey finished in a tie for second at the Northern Trust Open after losing in a sudden-death playoff to James Hahn. Casey finished the tournament at six-under-par, tied with Hahn and Dustin Johnson. After the trio all parred the first extra hole, Casey could only make a par on the second extra hole and was eliminated when Hahn and Johnson both got up and down for birdies from the green-side rough. Casey continued his good form in America the following week, when he finished in a tie for third at the Honda Classic, one shot outside a playoff. Two weeks later he equalled his 2004 performance by finishing tied for 6th place in the 2015 Masters.
In 2016, Casey finished 2nd at both the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship before finishing 4th at the Tour Championship to finish 5th in the 2016 FedEx Cup Playoffs, his best career performance in the Playoffs.
In December 2015, Casey chose not to rejoin the European Tour for the following 2016 season, which made himself unavailable to qualify for the 2016 Ryder Cup.[14] Casey reached the 15th position in the Official World Golf Rankings, just prior to the 2016 Ryder Cup, due to his in-form performances in the PGA Tour playoff tournaments immediately before the Ryder Cup event.[15] Casey admitted that he was hurt that he was not able to participate in the 2016 Ryder Cup, due to his decision then not to obtain European Tour member status, whilst others noted that England's most in-form golfer then, was remarkably absent from the premier golf team event.[16]
Casey rejoined the tour in late October 2017 with aspirations of making the European team for the 2018 match at Le Golf National.[17] Casey remarked that he needed to play in another Ryder Cup, he missed the European Tour and being part of English golf.[18] Casey was subsequently selected for the EurAsia Cup in January 2018.[19] Casey scored two points out of a possible three and, ahead of the tournament, said he had 'no issues' speaking with 2010 Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, who infamously overlooked the then world No. 9 for a spot on the European team at Celtic Manor.[20] However, Casey admitted that he was hurt by the omission from Team Europe of the 2010 Ryder Cup, by not scoring sufficient points to qualify for the team, whilst having never questioned the captain's decisions on selecting individual picks for the team.[21] Casey also acknowledged that he was not selected for the Ryder Cup teams in both 2012 and 2014, as he struggled with his golf game then.[22]
Casey won the Valspar Championship in 2018, his first PGA Tour win in nine years.
In September 2018, Casey was named as a captain's pick by Thomas Bjørn for the European team participating in the 2018 Ryder Cup. Europe defeated the U.S. team by a dominant margin of 17.5 to 10.5 at Le Golf National outside Paris, France. Casey went 1–1–1 including a half in his singles match against Brooks Koepka.[23]
Casey missed a chance to win the 2019 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, when he failed to convert a three-stroke 54-hole lead. He was chased down and passed by Phil Mickelson, who claimed a three-stroke victory. Casey birdied the last during a Monday finish to claim solo second. He did however win the Pro-Am tournament with playing partner Don Colleran.[24]
In March 2019, Casey successfully defended his Valspar Championship title with a one-stroke victory over Jason Kokrak and Louis Oosthuizen, to claim his third PGA Tour title.
In September 2019, Casey won the Porsche European Open at Green Eagle Golf Course in Hamburg, Germany. Casey earned his 14th European Tour victory and his first since winning the KLM Open in 2014.[25]

In August 2020, Casey finished tied for second at the 2020 PGA Championship along with Dustin Johnson, both finished two strokes behind Collin Morikawa. This marked his best career finish in a major championship and moved him to 19th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
In November 2020, Casey shot a seven under 65 to hold a share of the first round lead at the Masters. He ultimately finished the tournament T38, with subsequent rounds of 74-71-77.
In January 2021, Casey claimed his 15th European Tour victory, at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, with a four-stroke victory over Brandon Stone.[26] The win saw him move back into the top 20 in the world rankings. In August that year, Casey finished in a tie for 3rd place at the Olympic Games. He lost in a 7-man playoff for the bronze medal.[27]
In September 2021, Casey played on the European team in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. The U.S. team won 19–9 and Casey went 0–4–0 and including a loss in his Sunday singles match against Dustin Johnson.
In July 2022, Casey joined the LIV Golf tour and placed sixth at his first tournament at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, winning $648,000 in the process. Casey competes for Crushers GC in LIV Golf. Casey then finished 21st at LIV Golf Invitational Boston, played at The International Golf Club in Bolton, Massachusetts, talking home $171,200. In 2023, Casey's team Crushers GC took home the team event victory at LIV Golf Mexico held at the El Camaleon Golf Course in Mayakoba.
Personal life
[edit]In 2008, he married Jocelyn Hefner, a distant cousin of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. The couple lived a quiet life on a remote ranch in rural Arizona, where keen amateur horse woman Jocelyn competed in local equestrian events. The couple divorced in 2011, citing the impact of the demands of Casey's career on their marriage.[28]
After they met at the Formula 1 Chequered Flag Ball at the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Casey started dating television presenter Pollyanna Woodward.[29] The couple got engaged during the Christmas period in 2013.[29] Soon after, they welcomed their first son, Lex, on 1 September 2014. They married January 2015.
Amateur wins
[edit]- 1998 Pac-10 Championship
- 1999 English Amateur, Pac-10 Championship
- 2000 English Amateur, Pac-10 Championship
Professional wins (21)
[edit]PGA Tour wins (3)
[edit]| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Apr 2009 | Shell Houston Open | 66-70-69-72=277 | −11 | Playoff | |
| 2 | 11 Mar 2018 | Valspar Championship | 70-68-71-65=274 | −10 | 1 stroke | |
| 3 | 24 Mar 2019 | Valspar Championship (2) | 70-66-68-72=276 | −8 | 1 stroke |
PGA Tour playoff record (1–2)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009 | Shell Houston Open | Won with bogey on first extra hole | |
| 2 | 2015 | Northern Trust Open | Hahn won with birdie on third extra hole Casey eliminated by birdie on second hole | |
| 3 | 2015 | Travelers Championship | Lost to birdie on second extra hole |
European Tour wins (15)
[edit]| Legend |
|---|
| Flagship events (1) |
| Other European Tour (14) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 Aug 2001 | Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship | 69-69-67-69=274 | −14 | 1 stroke | |
| 2 | 9 Feb 2003 | ANZ Championship1 | 45 pts (8-10-21-6=45) | 4 points | ||
| 3 | 11 May 2003 | Benson & Hedges International Open | 71-69-66-71=277 | −11 | 4 strokes | |
| 4 | 20 Mar 2005 | TCL Classic2 | 64-68-68-66=266 | −22 | Playoff | |
| 5 | 27 Nov 2005 (2006 season) |
Volvo China Open2 | 71-69-70-65=275 | −13 | Playoff | |
| 6 | 25 Jun 2006 | Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles (2) | 67-71-66-72=276 | −16 | 1 stroke | |
| 7 | 17 Sep 2006 | HSBC World Match Play Championship | 10 and 8 | |||
| 8 | 21 Jan 2007 | Abu Dhabi Golf Championship | 71-68-67-65=271 | −17 | 1 stroke | |
| 9 | 18 Jan 2009 | Abu Dhabi Golf Championship (2) | 69-65-63-70=267 | −21 | 1 stroke | |
| 10 | 24 May 2009 | BMW PGA Championship | 69-67-67-68=271 | −17 | 1 stroke | |
| 11 | 30 Jan 2011 | Volvo Golf Champions | 67-67-66-68=268 | −20 | 1 stroke | |
| 12 | 30 Jun 2013 | Irish Open | 68-72-67-67=274 | −14 | 3 strokes | |
| 13 | 14 Sep 2014 | KLM Open | 68-70-62-66=266 | −14 | 1 stroke | |
| 14 | 8 Sep 2019 | Porsche European Open | 66-73-69-66=274 | −14 | 1 stroke | |
| 15 | 31 Jan 2021 | Omega Dubai Desert Classic | 67-70-64-70=271 | −17 | 4 strokes | |
1Co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia
2Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour
European Tour playoff record (2–1)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004 | Celtic Manor Wales Open | Lost to birdie on second extra hole | |
| 2 | 2005 | TCL Classic | Won with birdie on second extra hole | |
| 3 | 2005 | Volvo China Open | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
Asian Tour wins (2)
[edit]| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 Mar 2005 | TCL Classic2 | 64-68-68-66=266 | −22 | Playoff | |
| 2 | 27 Nov 2005 | Volvo China Open2 | 71-69-70-65=275 | −13 | Playoff |
Asian Tour playoff record (2–0)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005 | TCL Classic | Won with birdie on second extra hole | |
| 2 | 2005 | Volvo China Open | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
Korean Tour wins (1)
[edit]| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory |
Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Oct 2011 | Shinhan Donghae Open | 77-73-69-69=288 | E | 1 stroke |
Other wins (2)
[edit]| Legend |
|---|
| World Golf Championships (1) |
| Other wins (1) |
| No. | Year | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 Nov 2004 | WGC-World Cup (with |
61-64-68-64=257 | −31 | 1 stroke | |
| 2 | 31 Jul 2012 | Telus World Skins Game | $185,000 | $100,000 | ||
Playoff record
[edit]LIV Golf League playoff record (0–2)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024 | LIV Golf Hong Kong | Ancer won with birdie on first extra hole | |
| 2 | 2025 | LIV Golf Dallas | Reed won with birdie on first extra hole |
Results in major championships
[edit]Results not in chronological order in 2020.
| Tournament | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | T6 | CUT | T10 | T11 | T20 | |||
| U.S. Open | CUT | CUT | WD | 15 | T10 | T65 | CUT | |
| The Open Championship | CUT | CUT | T20 | CUT | 71 | T27 | T7 | T47 |
| PGA Championship | CUT | 66 | CUT | T59 | CUT | T40 | T15 |
| Tournament | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | CUT | T38 | CUT | T6 | T4 | 6 | T15 | ||
| U.S. Open | T40 | CUT | T45 | T56 | T39 | CUT | 26 | T16 | |
| The Open Championship | T3 | T54 | CUT | T47 | T74 | CUT | T11 | T51 | |
| PGA Championship | T12 | T72 | CUT | T33 | CUT | T30 | T10 | T13 | CUT |
| Tournament | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | CUT | T38 | T26 | |
| PGA Championship | T29 | T2 | T4 | |
| U.S. Open | T21 | T17 | T7 | |
| The Open Championship | T57 | NT | T15 | T53 |
WD = withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic
Summary
[edit]| Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 11 |
| PGA Championship | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 19 | 13 |
| U.S. Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 12 |
| The Open Championship | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 19 | 14 |
| Totals | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 25 | 71 | 50 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 11 (2019 PGA – 2022 Open Championship, current)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (three times)
Results in The Players Championship
[edit]| Tournament | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Players Championship | T10 | CUT | CUT | CUT | T14 |
| Tournament | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Players Championship | CUT | CUT | WD | WD | T23 | T22 | CUT |
| Tournament | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Players Championship | C | T5 | 3 |
CUT = missed the halfway cut
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place
C = Cancelled after the first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Results in World Golf Championships
[edit]Results not in chronological order before 2015.
| Tournament | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | T8 | T21 | T56 | T9 | T51 | T31 | T6 | T18 | T51 | T38 | 7 | T16 | T12 | T3 | |||
| Match Play | R64 | R64 | R64 | R64 | QF | R16 | 2 | 2 | R32 | QF | T51 | R16 | T17 | R16 | |||
| Invitational | T17 | T16 | T19 | T4 | T51 | T8 | WD | T22 | T45 | T27 | T17 | T16 | T5 | T31 | T27 | ||
| Champions | WD | T6 | T4 | 20 | T23 | T12 | T11 | T16 | T38 | ||||||||
| Tournament | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 11 | ||
| Match Play | NT1 | T28 | T60 |
| Invitational | T67 | T5 | |
| Champions | NT1 | NT1 | NT1 |
1Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
WD = Withdrew
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
NT = no tournament
"T" = tied
Note that the HSBC Champions did not become a WGC event until 2009.
Note that the Championship and Invitational were discontinued from 2022.
Team appearances
[edit]Amateur
- Walker Cup (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1999 (winners)
- Eisenhower Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2000
- St Andrews Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2000 (winners)
Professional
- Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2004 (winners), 2006 (winners), 2008, 2018 (winners), 2021
- WGC-World Cup (representing England): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 (winners)
- Seve Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2002 (winners), 2003 (winners), 2005 (winners), 2007 (winners), 2013
- EurAsia Cup (representing Europe): 2018 (winners)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Week 21 2009 Ending 24 May 2009" (pdf). OWGR. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Casey holds on for Wentworth win". BBC Sport. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Casey Set on No. 1; Third-ranked golfer looking to justify his spot". New York Daily News. 17 June 2009. p. 54.
- ^ "Week 3 – Paul Casey Wins the Abu Dhabi Championship and Reaches World Number 13". Official World Golf Ranking. 22 January 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ "Casey apologises for 'hate' jibe". BBC Sport. 18 November 2004. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ "Casey clinches maiden PGA victory". BBC Sport. 5 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
- ^ "Week 14 – Paul Casey Wins the Shell Houston Open and Jumps to World Number Six". Official World Golf Ranking. 5 April 2009. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ "Paul Casey wins first title for 20 months in Bahrain". BBC Sport. 30 January 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
- ^ "Paul Casey beats Jhonattan Vegas in skins game shootout". CBC Sports. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
- ^ Murray, Ewan (1 July 2013). "Paul Casey on road to recovery after winning Irish Open". The Guardian.
- ^ "Paul Casey captures the Irish Open". European Tour. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
- ^ Corrigan, James (14 September 2014). "Paul Casey 'over the moon' after victory, while Andy Sullivan wins a trip to space". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Casey forfeits Euro membership to focus on PGA Tour". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- ^ "Is Paul Casey not rejoining the European Tour because of a Ryder Cup snub by Colin Montgomerie five years ago?". Golf Digest. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Paul Casey sounds dejected that he won't be at the Ryder Cup". Golf Digest. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Paul Casey sounds dejected that he won't be at the Ryder Cup". Golf Digest. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Inglis, Martin (30 October 2017). "Paul Casey gives Ryder Cup boost to Team Europe". bunkered.
- ^ "Paul Casey to rejoin European Tour in hopes of Ryder Cup bid". Golf Digest. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Inglis, Martin (23 November 2017). "Paul Casey back playing team golf for Europe". bunkered.
- ^ Inglis, Martin (11 January 2018). "Paul Casey 'never had an issue' with Monty". bunkered.
- ^ "Paul Casey was '˜hurt a lot' by Colin Montgomerie's snub". The Scotsman. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Clerkin, Malachy (27 September 2018). "Peculiar Paul Casey glad his Ryder Cup career is back on track". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Europe wins back Ryder Cup, beating US 17 1/2-10 1/2". The Hamilton Spectator. The Canadian Press. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "After solo second, Casey hopes to achieve goal at Genesis Open". PGA Tour. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ Speros, Bill (8 September 2019). "Paul Casey proves prophetic with victory in European Open". Golfweek. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- ^ Stafford, Ali (31 January 2021). "European Tour: Paul Casey secures four-shot victory at Omega Dubai Desert Classic". Sky Sports News. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Stafford, Ali (1 August 2021). "Tokyo Olympics: Xander Schauffele wins golf gold as Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey miss out on medals". Sky Sports.
- ^ Brown, Oliver (8 November 2011). "Casey bounces back after form dipped during painful divorce". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ a b Corrigan, James (6 January 2014). "Paul Casey starts European Tour season by getting engaged to Pollyanna Woodward". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Paul Casey at the European Tour official site
- Paul Casey at the PGA Tour official site
- Paul Casey at the Official World Golf Ranking official site
Paul Casey
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background and childhood
Paul Casey was born on July 21, 1977, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, to parents Patricia Casey and Terry Casey.[8] [9] His paternal grandfather had competed on the European Tour during the 1970s, establishing a family connection to professional golf.[8] At age six, Casey's family relocated to Weybridge, Surrey, where he spent much of his childhood.[2] [9] He attended Cleves School in nearby Weybridge and later Hampton School in Richmond upon Thames.[9] Casey developed an early interest in sports through his father's influence, with Terry Casey described as an accomplished amateur golfer who introduced him to the game.[10] The family frequented Foxhills Country Club in Ottershaw, Surrey, where young Casey initially pursued a tennis scholarship before securing a golf scholarship at age 11 after demonstrating proficiency.[1] [11] By that age, he had already become a capable junior golfer, honing his skills on the club's courses.[2]Education and influences
Casey attended Cleves School in Weybridge, Surrey, followed by Hampton School in west London.[10][12] He completed A-levels at Strode's College in Egham, Surrey, before securing a golf scholarship to Arizona State University in the United States.[10][9] At Arizona State, Casey competed for three seasons, contributing to three Pac-10 Conference men's golf championships and earning three All-American honors.[4] He forwent his senior year to turn professional in 2000.[4][13] Casey's early golfing influences included his father, Terry Casey, a professional golfer who managed the England men's team and introduced him to the sport around age eight through play at Foxhills Golf Club.[9][14] In a 2019 interview, Casey described his father as a key figure despite the latter's self-described poor playing ability, crediting him for foundational encouragement alongside multiple other personal factors.[13] Later, swing coach Peter Kostis emerged as a primary mentor, providing long-term guidance on technique and mental approach.[15][16]Amateur career
Junior and national successes
Casey began competing in junior golf events in England, securing the Surrey Junior Championship title in 1995 while based at Foxhills Golf Club.[17] Two years later, in 1997, he claimed the Colts Championship, a national under-21 competition.[17] Transitioning to senior amateur events, Casey dominated the English Amateur Championship, winning back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000.[18][2] These victories established him as one of England's top prospects. On the international stage, Casey represented Great Britain and Ireland in the 1999 Walker Cup at Nairn Golf Club, Scotland, where the team defeated the United States 9.5–14.5; he posted a perfect 4–0 record across two foursomes and two singles matches, the first such undefeated performance in 77 years.[11][2] The following year, competing for Great Britain and Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy at Sporting Club Berlin, Germany, Casey led all individuals with a score of 203, two strokes clear of the next competitor.[19]College career at Arizona State University
Paul Casey attended Arizona State University on an athletic scholarship, competing for the Sun Devils men's golf team from 1997 to 2000 under head coach Randy Lein.[20] During his tenure, he established himself as one of the program's most dominant players, securing six individual tournament victories, a total that tied for third in ASU history at the time.[21] Casey captured three consecutive Pac-10 individual championships from 1998 to 2000, becoming the first golfer in conference history to achieve this feat and only the second in Pac-10 history overall to win three titles.[22] He also won the 1998 NCAA West Regional championship. These successes earned him All-American recognition, including first-team honors in 2000.[4] At the 2000 NCAA Championships, Casey claimed the individual title with a record-breaking score of 23-under-par 265 (66-65-67-67), surpassing Tiger Woods' previous tournament record of 18-under 270 from the 1996 event.[4] He additionally broke Phil Mickelson's ASU school record for the lowest career scoring average. Following this standout season, Casey turned professional in 2000 without completing his degree.[22][6]Pre-LIV professional career
Turning professional and initial wins
Casey turned professional in 2000 after completing his collegiate career at Arizona State University, where he had been a standout amateur.[6][3] He initially competed on developmental circuits and qualified for select European Tour events late in the year, but did not record a victory in his debut professional season.[5][11] In 2001, Casey earned full playing privileges on the European Tour and quickly established himself with a breakthrough win at the Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship in August, defeating Sweden's Henrik Nyholm by three strokes to claim his first professional title on just his 11th Tour start.[5][11] This victory, held at Gleneagles' King's Course, propelled him into the Tour's top rookie contenders and marked the beginning of a consistent run of strong performances, including multiple top-10 finishes that season.[5][23] His second European Tour win came in 2003 at the ANZ Championship in Australia, where he finished two strokes ahead of the field, solidifying his status as an emerging talent capable of contending in co-sanctioned events.[11] These early successes, achieved within his first three professional seasons, demonstrated Casey's transition from amateur promise to professional reliability, though he had yet to challenge for major championships.[2][11]Peak achievements on PGA and European Tours
Paul Casey's peak performance on the PGA and European Tours spanned the mid-2000s to early 2010s, marked by multiple tournament victories, a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of third achieved on June 1, 2009, and recognition as the European Tour Golfer of the Year in 2006.[24][2] During this period, he secured 15 European Tour titles, including flagship events like the BMW PGA Championship in 2009 at Wentworth Club, where he finished four strokes ahead of the field.[5] His early European Tour success began with a win at the 2001 Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship on his 11th start, followed by additional victories in 2003 and consistent contention thereafter.[5] On the PGA Tour, Casey's highlights included three wins, with a standout 2009 season featuring the Shell Houston Open victory, where he closed with a final-round 66 to edge out the field by one stroke.[3] He demonstrated resurgence in 2018 and 2019 by winning the Valspar Championship in consecutive years, becoming the first player to achieve back-to-back titles in the event; in 2018, he finished with a 6-under 65 to win by one shot, and in 2019, he held off challengers at 8-under 276.[25][26] These triumphs contributed to 69 top-10 finishes across 304 starts, underscoring his sustained elite-level play.[3] Later European Tour wins, such as the 2014 KLM Open, 2019 Porsche European Open, and 2021 Omega Dubai Desert Classic—his 15th title—extended his peak influence into the early 2020s.[27]
Injuries, setbacks, and resurgence
In the latter half of the 2000s, Casey encountered recurrent injuries that disrupted his momentum, including rib strains that forced withdrawals from key events such as the 2009 HSBC Champions after two holes and the BMW International Open due to a pulled muscle under his rib cage.[28][29] These issues sidelined him for the second half of the 2009 season, causing him to miss the USPGA Championship and contributing to his exclusion from the 2010 Ryder Cup squad despite strong prior form.[30][31] A turf toe injury in late 2010 exacerbated ongoing physical challenges, compounded by personal setbacks including a divorce finalized in 2011, which correlated with a sharp decline in results and the loss of his PGA Tour card that November.[32][33] The most significant blow came in December 2011, when Casey dislocated his right shoulder in a snowboarding accident in Colorado, requiring two months sidelined and damaging his Ryder Cup prospects under captain Colin Montgomerie.[31][34] He avoided surgery but returned prematurely in March 2012, leading to persistent shoulder pain that prompted withdrawals from the Volvo World Match Play Championship, the US Open, and the Players Championship.[35][36][37] Intermittent back spasms added to the toll, notably forcing a withdrawal from the 2018 Players Championship while ranked 12th globally and creating a Ryder Cup injury scare at the BMW Championship that September.[38][39] Collectively, these ailments—spanning shoulders, ribs, back, and lower extremities since 2005—interrupted a trajectory of multiple tour victories and top-10 world rankings, resulting in extended win droughts and ranking volatility.[40] Casey's resurgence began post-2012 with focused rehabilitation and technical adjustments, yielding a Czech Masters victory in June 2013—his first title since the 2011 Irish Open—and contention in majors like a tie for third at the PGA Championship that August.[41] By 2016, statistical gains in strokes gained putting, driving accuracy, and scrambling efficiency mirrored his return to elite contention, with eight top-10 finishes across PGA and European Tours, including a runner-up at the Masters.[42] This period extended into wins at the 2014 KLM Open and bridged a five-year European Tour drought with the 2019 Porsche European Open, reestablishing him as a consistent major performer through 2021.[5]Transition to LIV Golf
Motivations for joining
Paul Casey, who joined LIV Golf in July 2022, cited the physical and mental toll of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour schedules as primary motivations for his decision. After decades of professional play involving extensive global travel and a compressed calendar, Casey described reaching a "breaking point" due to burnout, stating that the traditional tours' demands were unsustainable long-term.[43][44] A significant personal factor was the health of his longtime caddie, John "Johnny" McLaren, who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in April prior to Casey's move. Casey expressed concerns that continuing on the established tours would jeopardize McLaren's recovery, as the rigorous schedule limited recovery time and increased stress; discussions with McLaren reinforced the need for a less demanding format offered by LIV Golf's shorter season and fewer events.[45][44][46] Despite earlier criticisms of Saudi Arabia's involvement in golf—stemming from his role as a UNICEF ambassador and his 2019 refusal to participate in the Saudi International over human rights concerns in Yemen—Casey later engaged directly with Saudi officials and expressed belief in their commitments to reform, which alleviated prior reservations and facilitated his participation.[47][48] He emphasized that LIV's team-based, limited-field events provided better work-life balance without intending to undermine the sport's established structures.[49]Public criticisms and Casey's responses
Paul Casey faced significant public scrutiny for joining LIV Golf in June 2022, particularly given his prior vocal opposition to Saudi Arabia's involvement in professional golf. As a former UNICEF ambassador, Casey had boycotted the 2018 Saudi International tournament on the European Tour, stating that accepting payment from the Saudi government would make him a "hypocrite" due to the kingdom's human rights record, including restrictions on women's rights and the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.[47][50] Critics, including golf media and fans, accused him of hypocrisy for accepting substantial financial incentives from LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), amid broader condemnations of the league as an effort to "sportswash" the regime's image despite ongoing issues such as executions for dissent and poor LGBTQ+ protections.[51][52] Additional backlash arose from Casey's perceived evasion of tough questions. During a July 2022 LIV Golf event at Trump National Golf Club, he was quickly escorted away by league officials after a reporter inquired about Saudi Arabia's links to the 9/11 attacks, where 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals.[53] The DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) imposed fines exceeding $1 million and suspensions on Casey and other defectors for violating regulations against unauthorized events, prompting accusations from him that the tour had retroactively "moved the goalposts" by inconsistently enforcing rules that previously allowed participation in similar overseas tournaments.[54][55] In response, Casey defended his decision by emphasizing Saudi Arabia's ongoing reforms, arguing that "it's not where you're at, it's where you're going," and claiming LIV's presence was fostering positive change through economic investment and exposure.[48][56] He cited personal factors, including physical burnout after two decades on tour and the April 2022 diagnosis and surgery for a brain tumor in his longtime caddie, Johnny McLaren, which underscored the need for LIV's lighter schedule to prioritize health and family.[44][43] Casey maintained that his move was not intended to harm golf's established tours, expressing regret over potential "collateral damage" but asserting players lacked incentive to mediate the PGA Tour-LIV divide amid ongoing legal battles.[49][57]LIV Golf career
Performance and tournament results
Paul Casey joined LIV Golf in July 2022 and has since competed as a member of Crushers GC, establishing himself as a reliable performer with strong iron play but without securing an individual title.[2] In his debut event at LIV Golf Bedminster, he finished sixth, earning $648,000.[58] Across 44 events through August 2025, Casey has amassed approximately $29 million in earnings, reflecting consistent scoring in the 54-hole, no-cut format.[59] In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Casey's results were solid but unremarkable, with finishes typically in the mid-pack, including a 21st place in one early event, as he adapted to the team-oriented structure and shotgun starts.[60] His performance elevated in 2024, where he achieved five top-10 finishes, highlighted by a tie for second at LIV Golf Hong Kong after losing a three-man playoff, demonstrating improved consistency in approach shots.[61] The 2025 season marked Casey's strongest to date, culminating in a 16th-place finish in the individual standings after completing all 13 regular-season events with 71.47 points.[2] Key results included a tied fifth at LIV Golf Chicago (206, -7) and tied 10th at LIV Golf Singapore (seven-under total), alongside leading the field in strokes gained: approach for the year.[60][62] He also posted a bogey-free 63 to lead after the first round at LIV Golf Hong Kong in March.[63] On the team front, Casey's contributions helped Crushers GC secure second place in the 2025 team championship, underscoring his value in the aggregate scoring system despite individual leaderboard variability.[64] His emphasis on precision irons has been a standout metric, ranking him among the league's top performers in that category annually.[62] Overall, Casey's LIV tenure highlights steady contention without dominance, buoyed by team dynamics and format advantages suited to his methodical style.[65]Recent developments and ongoing impact
In the 2025 LIV Golf season, Paul Casey achieved several strong finishes, including a tied second place at LIV Golf Dallas on June 27, where he scored an even-par 72 in the final round to tie with Jinichiro Kozuma and Louis Oosthuizen.[58] He followed with a tied 11th at LIV Golf UK on July 25, a tied fifth at LIV Golf Chicago on August 8, and a tied 27th at LIV Golf Indianapolis on August 15.[66] These results contributed to his season-long strokes gained metrics, ranking him 11th in strokes gained approach and total, with a low over-par percentage of 12.6%, placing fifth individually.[67][68] At the 2025 LIV Golf Team Championship, Casey paired with Bryson DeChambeau for Crushers GC but lost in a two-hole playoff to Legion XIII's Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who both birdied the second playoff hole.[69] This outcome highlighted Crushers GC's competitive standing, building on their 2023 team title, though they fell short of defending dominance amid rising parity in the league.[2] Casey's ongoing impact in LIV Golf underscores his sustained elite performance in the 54-hole, no-cut format, bolstering Crushers GC's team dynamics alongside high-profile teammates like DeChambeau.[69] His consistency in greens in regulation (70.69%, ranking among leaders) and approach play has maintained his relevance, even as LIV's separation from Official World Golf Ranking points limits broader tour access.[70] Participation in affiliated events, such as the International Series, extends his visibility beyond core LIV tournaments.[71]Professional wins
PGA Tour victories
Paul Casey achieved three victories on the PGA Tour during his career.[3] His first PGA Tour win came at the 2009 Shell Houston Open, held April 2–5 at Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas, where he defeated J.B. Holmes in a sudden-death playoff on the first extra hole after both finished regulation at 11-under-par 269; Casey parred the playoff hole while Holmes bogeyed.[72] This marked Casey's initial triumph on the tour following multiple close calls, elevating him to sixth in the FedExCup standings.[73] Casey claimed his second victory at the 2018 Valspar Championship, contested March 8–11 at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida, finishing at 12-under-par 268 after a final-round 6-under 65 that held off a late charge from Tiger Woods, who missed a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff.[25] He repeated as champion at the Valspar Championship in 2019, held March 21–24 on the same course, posting a tournament-total 8-under-par 276 to secure a three-stroke margin over Jason Kokrak and Louis Oosthuizen despite windy conditions and a challenging layout.[74] This back-to-back success at the event highlighted Casey's strong performance on the Copperhead Course, where he became the first repeat winner since 2004.[26]| Tournament | Date | Course | Winning Score | Margin of Victory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Houston Open | Apr 5, 2009 | Redstone Golf Club | 269 (-11) | Playoff |
| Valspar Championship | Mar 11, 2018 | Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead) | 268 (-12) | 1 stroke |
| Valspar Championship | Mar 24, 2019 | Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead) | 276 (-8) | 3 strokes |
European Tour victories
Paul Casey amassed 15 victories on the DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, spanning from 2001 to 2021.[27] His debut win came early in his professional career at the Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship in 2001, marking his 11th start on the tour.[5] Casey achieved multiple triumphs in key events, including back-to-back Abu Dhabi Golf Championships in 2007 and 2009, and the prestigious BMW PGA Championship in 2009, the tour's flagship tournament held at Wentworth Club.[27] His victories reflect consistent performance across diverse courses and formats, with a notable resurgence in later years, including the Porsche European Open in 2019 after a five-year drought and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in 2021 for his 15th title, secured by a four-stroke margin over Brandon Stone.[27] [5] The following table enumerates Casey's DP World Tour victories chronologically:| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship |
| 2003 | ANZ Championship |
| 2003 | Benson & Hedges International Open |
| 2005 | TCL Classic |
| 2005 | Volvo China Open |
| 2006 | Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles |
| 2006 | HSBC World Match Play Championship |
| 2007 | Abu Dhabi Golf Championship |
| 2009 | Abu Dhabi Golf Championship |
| 2009 | BMW PGA Championship |
| 2011 | Volvo Golf Champions |
| 2013 | Irish Open |
| 2014 | KLM Open |
| 2019 | Porsche European Open |
| 2021 | Omega Dubai Desert Classic |
Other professional wins
Casey achieved two victories on the Asian Tour in 2005, both co-sanctioned events held in China. In March, he won the TCL Classic at Yalong Bay Golf Club by defeating Paul McGinley of Ireland in a sudden-death playoff after both finished at 22 under par, with Casey carding a final-round 66.[75] In November, he captured the Volvo China Open at Beijing CBD International Golf Club, overcoming fellow Englishman Oliver Wilson in a playoff following a closing 65 that brought him to 13 under par.[76] [77] Additionally, Casey won the invitational HSBC World Match Play Championship in September 2006 at Wentworth Club, England. He defeated Shaun Micheel of the United States 10 and 8 in the 36-hole final, establishing a record margin of victory for the event after never trailing in his last 71 holes of the tournament.[78]Major championships and elite events
Results in majors
Paul Casey has competed in the four major championships on numerous occasions, accumulating over 70 starts without a victory. His career highlights include a runner-up finish at the 2020 PGA Championship, where he posted 11-under-par at TPC Harding Park before finishing one stroke behind winner Collin Morikawa, and a tie for third at the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews, where he carded 8-under-par and played in the final group.[79][80][81] He has recorded 12 top-10 finishes across the majors, demonstrating consistent contention despite challenges such as injuries and form fluctuations.[80] In the Masters Tournament, Casey's best result is a tie for fourth in 2016, followed by solo sixth in 2017 and a tie for sixth in 2015. He led after the first round in 2020 with a 7-under-par 65—matching his personal best at Augusta National—but faded to a tie for 38th. Other notable finishes include ties for 11th (2008), 15th (2018), and 20th (2009), with five top-10s overall in 18 appearances.[80][6] At the U.S. Open, his strongest performance came in 2021 with a tie for seventh. Earlier, he tied for 10th in 2007. Casey has made the cut in 12 of 16 starts, with additional top-20 finishes including ties for 16th (2018), 17th (2020), and 21st (2019), reflecting solid ball-striking on U.S. Open setups but limited closing contention.[80][6] Casey's Open Championship record features 19 appearances since his 2002 debut, with a tie for third in 2010 standing out alongside seventh place in 2008 at Royal Birkdale. He has three top-11 finishes, including a tie for 11th in 2017, and recent results such as ties for 15th (2021) and 53rd (2022).[81][80] In the PGA Championship, across 19 starts, Casey achieved his career-best tie for second in 2020 (-11), followed by a tie for fourth in 2021. Other top-10s include a tie for 10th in 2016. He withdrew prior to the 2023 event at Oak Hill.[79][80][82]| Major | Appearances | Best Finish (Year) | Top-10 Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters | 18 | T4 (2016) | 5 |
| U.S. Open | 16 | T7 (2021) | 2 |
| The Open Championship | 19 | T3 (2010) | 3 |
| PGA Championship | 19 | T2 (2020) | 3 |
Performances in The Players Championship and World Golf Championships
Paul Casey has participated in The Players Championship 14 times between 2005 and 2022, achieving consistent mid-pack or better finishes in most editions prior to his departure from the PGA Tour in 2022.[3] His strongest showings came in 2018, where he tied for fifth at 11-under par, and in 2021, finishing tied for fifth at the same score after rounds of 73-67-67-70.[3] [83] Other notable results include tied for 13th in 2010 and 2019 (both at 9-under), tied for 12th in 2016 (6-under), and tied for 14th in 2013 (5-under).[3] In 2022, Casey endured a controversial ruling on the 16th hole at TPC Sawgrass when his ball plugged in its pitch mark, leading to a double bogey that contributed to a tied for 74th finish after reopening the event due to weather delays.[84]| Year | Finish | Score to Par |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | T25 | -5 |
| 2010 | T13 | -9 |
| 2011 | T37 | -1 |
| 2012 | T16 | -5 |
| 2013 | T14 | -5 |
| 2016 | T12 | -6 |
| 2018 | T5 | -11 |
| 2019 | T13 | -9 |
| 2020 | T24 | -4 |
| 2021 | T5 | -11 |
