Casey eyes battle as Tiger ready for return

WITH mounting speculation Tiger Woods could be only two weeks away from his comeback, England’s Paul Casey said yesterday he would like to be right up close when it happens.

The world number one has been out of the game since allegations about his private life emerged following a car crash in November.

“I’ve got to say yes,” commented Casey when asked if he fancied being a playing partner for Woods’ return.

“It could be interesting, though. The sort of scrutiny will be on a level that’s probably something we’ve never witnessed before.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing with the best players in the world, and especially the number one player in the world.

“There’s always a lot of extra sort of distraction out there, but this time around it could be even more so.”

Woods’ last tournament was the Australian Masters he won in November. Two weeks later came the car crash outside his home that sparked all manner of stories about his private life.

Admitting infidelity and then announcing an indefinite break from the game, Woods did not appear again in public until his televised statement on February 19.

His first competitive golf could be the Tavistock Cup at his home club of Isleworth in Florida on March 22-23.

That is a private match against Lake Nona but later the same week is the Arnold Palmer Invitational at nearby Bay Hill – he is the defending champion – and, if he is to play a tournament before The Masters on April 8-11, that looks obvious one.

In the meantime, Casey hopes to take further advantage of Woods’ absence at the CA world championship in Miami starting tomorrow.

The 32-year-old is one of the favourites after finishing runner-up to fellow Englishman Ian Poulter at the WGC-Accenture Match Play and then coming fourth at the Honda Classic on Sunday.

This week’s event has only 68 players in it, with Woods missing and Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa not playing either because he has a school graduation ceremony at home.

l Phil Mickelson will not be able to use his controversial 20-year-old wedge after 29 March after a deal between manufacturer Ping and the PGA Tour.

The American golfer has been using a Ping Eye 2 wedge, which features banned U-shaped grooves to generate more spin.

Mickelson’s club fell within the rules because of a lawsuit by the manufacturer that means pre-1990 Ping wedges are permitted in tournaments. But Ping has agreed to waive its rights to exemption from the new rule.

Mickelson’s decision to use the club had drawn criticism from his fellow professionals.

England’s Lee Westwood accused the world number three of “bending the rules,” while American Scott McCarron said Mickelson was “cheating” before apologising for the remark.

& Mickelson, who boasts one of the finest short games in the sport, has described the rule change as “ridiculous”.