Three is the magic number for Casey

PAUL CASEY, who was told on Wednesday that the world number three spot was there for him to grab this week, is bang on course for it halfway through the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Three years after he won £1million on the course in the World Match Play, Casey moved from two behind to two in front with a second-round 67 at the European Tour’s flagship event.

The 31-year-old had no hesitation nominating his shot of the day – a 163-yard nine-iron that dived into the hole for a two at the difficult 13th.

Not that it was Casey’s only eagle. He hit a seven-iron to seven feet at the long fourth and had the chance of another when he was almost as close on the 12th, only to miss the putt.

That was one of four birdies, but a disappointing six-five finish on the two par fives limited him to eight under.

And he ended up with only 13 usable clubs, bending his four-iron when he struck a tree on the 17th.

“I used to struggle to figure out a way round here and stood on some tees pretty scared, but the changes (made by playing partner Ernie Els) gave me more options and I’ve built over the years a liking for the course.”

First prize this time is just under £670,000 and that would take him well clear in the circuit’s new Race To Dubai, but it is the possibility of a third win this year and a leap from seventh to third in the rankings – behind only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson – that sends him into the weekend licking his lips.

Joint second are holder Miguel Angel Jimenez, England’s David Horsey and Anthony Wall, Scotsman Marc Warren and also Dane Soren Kjeldsen.

Jimenez’s dream for the last 36 holes is that he will become only the third player in the event’s history – after Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie – to make a successful defence of the trophy. The 45-year-old’s hopes were given a massive boost by a closing 18-foot eagle putt after he had driven into the fairway bunker for the second day running.

“I think this course suits me because you need to control the ball,” said the Malaga golfer.

Masters champion Angel Cabrera crashed out on five over after a 75 while Lee Westwood had a second-successive 77 for 10 over – his worst 36-hole score in Europe for six years.