Paul Casey and co eyeing FedEx bonanza at Tour Championship
Leading golf stars throughout Europe and America will be focusing on the Ryder Cup in earnest next week - with the exception of Paul Casey.
Yet the second-highest ranked English golfer in the world, deemed unworthy of a place on the European team, is on course to bag a $10million prize at this week's FedEx Cup final Tour Championship. Not bad for a Ryder reject.
Victory at the PGA Tour grand finale, which begins today in Atlanta, would guarantee Casey a first prize of £861,000 for starters; yet Casey is also ranked fifth in the current FedEx Cup points table. That means a win at East Lake Golf Course would be enough to propel Casey to the top of the table, granting the 33-year-old a bonus win of nearly £6.4million.
And while Casey insists he doesn't hold a grudge regarding his omission from the biennial tournament, which takes place this year at Wales' Celtic Manor course, victory would surely leave captain Colin Montgomerie privately feeling at least a little rueful.
"I was disappointed that I didn't qualify myself. I was annoyed at myself," Casey said. "I can't be upset at anybody. I'm not upset at Colin for not picking me - I have to blame myself. Something like the Ryder Cup, I am not dwelling on it. I will watch the TV and I will be wishing I was there, but winning a FedExCup doesn't necessarily fill that hole because it's not about that."
Casey is one of just five players who can be certain of winning the FedEx Cup if he can take victory at this week's tournament, comprised of an elite field of just 30 players. A win would also push Casey up to No. 5 in the world. But it's the elusive victory that has proven Casey's toughest nut to crack all season; remarkably, the Arizona-based star is yet to win in 2010.
More remarkably still, Casey could fail to win here in Arizona this week - and yet still take the FedEx Cup spoils. If he finishes second here, Casey will take the $10million as long as the four players in front of him - Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Charley Hoffman and Steve Stricker - fail to finish, respectively, better than fifth, fourth, or third.
Even if Casey fails to shine at the Tour Championship this week, Monty's Ryder blushes may not be completely spared. Justin Rose, another Englishman and another controversial exclusion from the Scot's team is also in action at the tournament this week, and is angling for his third PGA Tour win this year - not to mention the bonus of the FedEx Cup.
Of Monty's Ryder crew, only Luke Donald has made it to the Tour Championship, while US counterpart Corey Pavin has no fewer than seven representatives present. Donald is yet to win all year on the PGA Tour - but perhaps he's been saving his best 'til last.
Of the other big name US candidates, Phil Mickelson would displace Tiger Woods as world No. 1 were he to win, or simply finish in second place this week. The Californian nicknamed Lefty seems to play at his best when placed in direct competition with his main rival Woods, but with the 14-time major winner failing to make this year's Championship, Mickelson will have to look elsewhere for inspiration.
Tough to think where he'll find it, but you never know; maybe a $10million bonus and official recognition as the world's greatest golfer might just fit the bill.
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