Casey is bats about the Belfry

As far as Paul Casey is concerned the European Tour can play every event at The Belfry if they want.

Winner of the Benson and Hedges International by four shots the last time the circuit came to town three years ago, Casey is the leader again as the Quinn Direct British Masters heads into the third round.

While Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Paul McGinley, Nick Dougherty and Paul Lawrie were among those to miss the halfway cut, the 28-year-old added a 66 to his opening 67.

Still to register a bogey, Casey is already on the 11 under par mark with which he triumphed in 2003.

“That’s probably the first time I’ve had not a bogey in two rounds,” he said. “But there’s a lot of golf left yet. I’ve been very fortunate and kept it out of the trouble.

“I’m sure the guys behind me have had their ups and downs and they can shoot fantastic numbers. It’s going to be a battle.”

As for his love of the course Casey added: “Maybe it’s because I have good memories.”

He was referring to not just the victory, but also the fact that he made his tour debut and collected his first tour cheque at the venue.

As the round drew to a close second place was held at eight under by Darren Clarke, who after sharing the first day pace with Peter Hanson on 66 posted a 70.

But out on the course another Swede, Jarmo Sandelin, was also eight under and still had four to play.

Doing so well unfortunately had a downside for Clarke. The Liverpool fan had hoped to fly by helicopter after his third round to the FA Cup final – he had a seat in the Royal Box – but there will not be enough time now and he will have to content himself with a television view of the match instead.

McGinley’s narrow failure to survive the cut, however, makes it easy for him to cheer on West Ham.

In on seven under were US Open champion Michael Campbell, Scot Stephen Gallacher, Swede Johan Edfors and Casey’s Ryder Cup team-mate Ian Poulter.

Like Poulter, Casey failed to qualify for the Masters last month and does not have a place in next month’s US Open yet either. But this weekend could solve that – the top 50 in the world gain exemptions and he is currently 57th.

Poulter has the same goal and at 71st in the rankings it still needs something special.

He and Casey spent Monday racing cars at Brands Hatch – up to speeds of 140mph after tuition from Nigel Mansell no less – and the adrenaline rush appears to have served a useful purpose for both of them.

Poulter has an extra incentive for wanting to reignite his career. The week after the Masters Clarke handed him a tongue-in-cheek “wish you were here” card from the Augusta National club signed by a number of players including Tiger Woods.

He took it in good spirit and jokes: “I’m looking forward to the time when I can get my own back, there’ll be plenty of opportunities. What’s the saying? Don’t get mad, get even.”

Poulter, back from the US Tour this week, set the clubhouse target on seven under with his 69 early in the day, but conditions remained calm and Casey capitalised.

Campbell was paired for the first two rounds with Padraig Harrington, and they have a history at The Belfry.

Six years ago Harrington was five clear with 18 holes to play on the course when he was disqualified after the discovery that his first round card had been mistakenly signed by Campbell instead of the Dubliner.

“Obviously time heals and we can laugh at it now,” said the New Zealander. “On the first tee yesterday Padraig said to me ’Michael, here’s my card. Do a proper job this time’.”

The first day definitely belonged to him with a 67 against 75, but Harrington, who had been five over after 16 holes, came back with a 66 to Campbell’s 70 and at three under still entertains hopes of getting the win denied him in 2000.

“Today I thought every hole was a birdie hole,” said Harrington, who finished runner-up to Casey three years ago. “I made a 20-footer on my second hole and it just seemed to open the floodgates.”

Graeme McDowell, after a dreadful start to the season in America, celebrated his return to home soil with a hole-in-one at the seventh and improved to six under with a 68.