Casey sets sights on regular contention

Paul Casey is in no doubt about what he needs most to achieve his golfing ambitions – consistency.

The Ryder Cup star, who began the defence of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles today, simply marvels at the way Tiger Woods is a contender in virtually every tournament he plays.

“I think the very telling statistic that I saw this year was that there were only seven guys who made the cut in all four majors,” said Casey.

“I was one of them, but Tiger played them in one under, Justin (Rose) was second with 15 over and I was 27 over.

“I’m very happy that I made the cut in all four, but that is a huge gap between Tiger and the rest of us.

“I’m not going to get sucked into measuring myself against Tiger. The 66 I shot at Oakmont this year (at the US Open) was the low round by two and that is the bit that is exciting me. I think I am capable of playing those type of golf courses and adapting my game, but what I need to work on is my consistency.

“It’s disappointing that I haven’t won since the start of the year, but I feel I’ve got better as a golfer.”

Casey is fully aware that there is still time to make it a memorable season. Pipped by Padraig Harrington for the European Order of Merit crown last year the 30-year-old is currently only 12th in the standings.

But he can start closing the gap with Open champion Harrington, who is currently in the USA playing the FedEx Cup play-offs, and having won twice already on the PGA Centenary Course it will be no surprise if he does it again.

Tournament chairman Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood are the only other members of last year’s Ryder Cup side in the field.

Casey was not eligible for the FedEx Cup because he needed to have been a US Tour member from the start of the year.

He said: “I wasn’t sure of the rules and thought there might be a chance of joining once the season started, but that would just give me temporary membership and I really need to be a full member.

“I will join at the end of the year and then I’ll be a full member from 2008 onwards.”