Preferred Lies

PAIR OF KINGS

Ring of confidence helps Casey repeat Abu Dhabi triumph

By Chico Roll

Marriage, a change of clubs and returning to the happy hunting ground of the Abu Dhabi course where the giant falcon dominates the landscape, has put England’s Paul Casey back in the winner’s circle.

Casey claimed his second UAE capital triumph by winning the fourth annual Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

"That was a bit of a nervous one," admitted the former World Match Play champion, whose last victory came in the same tournament in 2007.

"I didn't think I would have to wait so long. My game is now better than it's ever been and I've played some great stuff in spurts, but I've never really put it together.

"I've been focused on the majors, and performed well, and maybe neglected other tournaments. That's what I'm trying to do and it looks like it's paying off."

"It feels like a pay-off for all of the worrying I've put in over the past couple of months. It shows that marriage is clearly good for me."

Casey, 31, married American Jocelyn Hefner in December.

In an afternoon of gripping National Course action, Casey – who registered three bogeys in four holes down a wobbly home stretch – held off the challenge of his playing partner and defending champion, Martin Kaymer, to clinch his first Tour title since winning at Abu Dhabi two years ago.

“It felt great two years ago to win so early in the season but it feels very different this time,” he said. “I now know the guys who are contributing to the change and the development here and I wanted to win for them.  We won’t play golf courses much longer than the National this year and it feels fantastic to win.”

In a final day of widespread low scoring, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen rattled in eight birdies on the way to a closing 64. The 26-year old’s aggressive approach saw him finish at 20-under par, and with Casey leading by only one stroke at 21-under par as he stepped on to the final tee, the stage was set for a grandstand finish.

As if sensing a chance to enter a three-way play-off, Kaymer – then on 18-under – sank a stunning 45-foot eagle putt to join Oosthuizen on 20-under.  But Casey was not unnerved, coolly slotted his par putt to become the first player to be crowned a double Abu Dhabi champion and leave Kaymer and Oosthuizen tied second.

Despite narrowly losing his Abu Dhabi crown, Kaymer was looking at the positives: “I was struggling with birdies but I had a really good finish with my eagle. That was a nice moment – a little like last year with the spectators all around me, it was pretty cool.”

Oosthuizen was equally philosophical: “I think in any tournament, if anyone tells you 20‑under par, you'll take it.  Paul Casey is a great player and it was always going to take something special for me to be in a play-off.”

England’s Anthony Wall finished in fourth after a final day’s 67 put him at 18-under, while Ireland’s triple Major winner, Padraig Harrington (66), Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (65) and day one leader Johan Edfors (67) all tied fifth, one shot further back on 17-under.

None though, could match Casey.  Despite carding his worst round of the Championship, a 2-under par 70, the 31-year still set the lowest winning score in Abu Dhabi Golf Championship history.

"It's a great start to the season," said Casey. "I have worked very hard on my game over the winter and this, combined with the new VR irons in the bag, has made the difference between winning and all the top 10 finishes I have had over the last two years."

Casey took advantage of a mixed set of Nike VR irons by putting into play a three, four and five-iron from the VR Forged Split Cavity line and 6-PW from the VR Forged TW Blade line. His mixed set of VR's led him to a seventh-place finish in greens in regulation averaging 82 per cent for the tournament.

Since switching to the VR irons in September 2008, Casey has seen positive results, he says.

"For me, they go about two to three yards farther than my old set." The VR Forged TW Blades feature a more traditional muscle back design that includes a conspicuous and recognizable "TW" mark.

Made of 1025 Forged Carbon Steel with a CNC milled face, the Victory Red Forged TW Blades differentiate from Nike's original Blades with a more modified backpad and a slightly thicker toe. Nike's Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons feature a split back design that positions the centre of gravity behind the sweet spot for ball control while providing forgiveness, according to the maker.