Casey fires course record

Paul Casey justified Sam Torrance's decision to seriously consider him for a Ryder Cup wild card after a stunning course-record 62 in the Linde German Masters.

Casey fired nine birdies and an eagle at Gut Larchenhof for a 19 under total of 197 and two-shot lead over the field.

Germany's Alex Cejka and Australian Stephen Leaney are his nearest challengers, Cejka equalling Rodger Davis' previous course record of 63 and Leaney carding a 66.

Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam was a shot further back after a 68 alongside Worthing's Gary Evans who carded a 65 on a day of low scoring.

Casey was named European Tour rookie of the year in 2001 after his maiden victory in the Scottish PGA Championship last year in only his 11th event as a professional.

The 25-year-old was told by European captain Torrance he had been in contention for one of the two wild cards eventually handed to Sergio Garcia and Jesper Parnevik.

But after spending the early part of the year playing on the US Tour, Casey struggled to recapture that sort of form until the last three events saw him finish 11th, seventh and 10th.

"It was very nice of Sam to say what he did and earlier this year while I was playing average golf it was almost embarrassing," the former amateur star from Surrey said. "You feel like you have let him down.

"It's nice to shoot some low numbers and show everybody what he saw in me last year. Making the team in two years time is now the goal."

Casey made a blistering start on Saturday afternoon with six birdies in his first seven holes to storm to the turn in 30, and recovered from a bogey on the 10th to card three more birdies and an eagle on the closing stretch.

"It's my lowest round as a professional although I did once shoot a 60 as an amateur, although that was only 10 under and did also contain a bogey."