Paul Casey of the European team, during the first practice day for the 35th Ryder Cup Matches, at the Oakland Hills Country Club on September 14, 2004 in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
New Man on the Bag for Casey
September 15, 2004
Paul Casey will go into his first Ryder Cup Match with a new caddie on the bag after joining forces with Scotsman Craig Connelly only this week.
The partnership has been tested once before at the BMW International Open in Munich, when Casey finished third, and Casey made the difficult decision to change caddies at the last possible moment in an effort to maximise his chances on his Ryder Cup debut.
"It was a very difficult decision to make," said Casey after finishing his 14 month partnership with his previous caddie Ken Comboy. "I think we both knew the relationship, the team was pretty much over. I need to win as many points as I can at the Ryder Cup and if there is anything that's going to prevent me doing that, it needs to change. Unfortunately the confidence in each other and the spark that has to be there had gone and that is unfortunate. I'm sad Ken is not here, But I'm also very excited that I've got Craig on the bag and think I will be a better player and be more productive and a better asset for the Team now that Craig is on the bag."
Casey comes into The Ryder Cup with an impressive record for Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup, where he partnered fellow rookie Luke Donald to devastating effect in 1999 when the pair were undefeated. The Ryder Cup however is a different ball game altogether.
"There are certain aspects of the Walker Cup that are certainly beneficial to preparing you for the Ryder Cup," said Casey. "In terms of playing, we were nervous in the Walker Cup. That's going to be ten fold here. But that was a great experience. We had gala dinners, we had events we had to attend, opening ceremonies at the Walker Cup and it's going to be similar this week. Obviously everything is on a bigger scale. But you have to learn to deal with those. Ultimately we are here to play some matches at the end of the week. I'm excited to be finally here."
- Team U.S.A. (9/19/04)
- Team Europe (9/19/04)
- McGinley & Harrington (9/18/04)
- Clarke, Garcia, Westwood, & Donald (9/18/04)
- Bernhard Langer - Afternoon (9/18/04)
- Hal Sutton - Afternoon (9/18/04)
- Toms & Mickelson (9/18/04)
- Chris DiMarco (9/18/04)
- Bernhard Langer (9/18/04)
- Hal Sutton (9/18/04)
- Casey & Howell (9/18/04)
- Stewart Cink (9/18/04)
- Garcia & Westwood (9/18/04)
- Haas & DiMarco (9/18/04)
- Chad Campbell (9/18/04)
- Colin Montgomerie (9/17/04)
- Chris Riley (9/18/04)
- Woods & Riley (9/18/04)
- Clarke & Poulter (9/18/04)
- Europe Secure Ryder Cup After Singles Success
- EUROPE WIN THE RYDER CUP
- All the Drama from the Final Afternoon
- Europe Take Record Lead into Singles
- Langer's men set for singles showdown
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