Casey still feeling below par

Paul Casey was still struggling with ill health as he fell further off the pace in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama today.

An attack of stomach cramps had contributed to an opening five-over-par 76 for the European Tour Order of Merit leader, who is trying to hold off the challenges of Padraig Harrington, David Howell and Robert Karlsson in the season-ending event.

“I didn’t have a great night again and my whole body still aches,” said Casey on his return to the Costa del Sol course.

The World Match Play champion had been sick back at his hotel following his first round and suffered more diarrhoea overnight.

His first drive hooked into the trees and not only did his second find a bunker short of the green, but his line to the flag was blocked by a cork oak.

Casey hit his third onto the back fringe 30 feet from the hole and two-putted for a bogey five that dropped him to six over, 11 behind leader Jose Manuel Lara and down to 46th of the 54 players.

There was every reason for him to keep battling, however.

Harrington required a top-three finish just to have a chance of taking the number one spot and was only 30th after his first day 73, while Karlsson and Howell had to be first or second on Sunday and were lying seventh and 14th after scoring 69 and 70 respectively.

Should Harrington climb to third Casey needs a top-35 placing to remain ahead of him, while if Karlsson was second on his own Casey would deny him if he was in the top 32.