Struggling Casey backs Plaphol to make the cut

AN alternative career as a tipster could be on the cards for Paul Casey if the first round of the Volvo China Open is anything to go by.

While Casey - at 61st in the world the top-ranked player competing in Shenzhen - struggled to an opening 71, one under par, the man he tipped for success was sharing the lead on seven under.

Asked about the improvement in Asian golf during his pre-tournament press conference, Casey had picked Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol as a possible star after playing alongside him on his way to victory in the TCL Classic in March.