Duo boost England hopes

Luke Donald and Paul Casey took a giant stride today towards what would be only the second-ever victory for England in golf’s World Cup.

In their first foursomes game together since they were unbeaten in the 1999 Walker Cup the pair returned a brilliant eight under par 64 in Seville and will revert to the fourballs tomorrow five strokes clear of unfancied Austria.

But during the course of the day Casey was given a taste of what might be to come when he returns to the United States after his comments following the Ryder Cup about “hating” Americans.

The American wife of South African player Rory Sabbatini had pinned to her T-shirt the message “Stoopid Amerikan.”

Amy Sabbatini said: “Call this my political statement. I saw what he said about us and didn’t like it, so I printed this last night.

“He saw me and smiled, but then he read what my T-shirt had on it and quit smiling.”

In an interview with a Sunday paper journalist Arizona-based Casey had stated: “We properly hate them.”

A tabloid had followed up with the headline: “Americans are stupid. I hate them.”

Following a string of “nasty” e-mails and criticism of his choice of words by both American World Cup player Scott Verplank and his own Ryder Cup team-mate Paul McGinley, Casey now bitterly regrets what he said.

He admits he had trouble sleeping on Wednesday night as the backlash started and that it played on his mind during the 11 under par 60 in the opening fourballs.

Now, after a round which looked like being even better with three holes to play, they are 19 under and looking to repeat the 1998 success of Nick Faldo and David Carter – England’s only triumph in 49 previous stagings of the event.

“There are some great champions on this trophy and winning it would be a great attribute to anybody’s resume,” commented Donald.

Casey has not won so far this season – apart from the Ryder Cup, that is – and added: “I would rate this very highly.

“I’m representing my country against a strong field and any win is a great win. I don’t care where it is.”

He was the one to make all nine birdie putts in the first 14 holes, but was the first to say that of the two Donald played the better.

The finish was disappointing as Casey drove wildly into water on the 522-yard 16th and they “only” parred, then they bogeyed the 432-yard last after he chipped poorly.

“It leaves a bit of a sour taste, but in foursomes you are going to make some mistakes,” commented Donald.

Austria’s Markus Brier and Martin Wiegele are ranked 211th and 535th in the world respectively and Wiegele has just lost his European tour card.

But after a sparkling first day 60 a two under 70 was good enough to make them England’s closest pursuers at halfway.

That was because Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, winners for Ireland in 1997 and joint overnight leaders, ran up a double bogey seven on the 16th.

Harrington hit the second shot into the lake in front of the green and his partner then found sand. It undid the good work of an eagle on the 13th and they finished with a 71 to be joint third now with pre-tournament favourites Spain, holders South Africa, Sweden, Japan and Americans Scott Verplank and Bob Tway.