• Irish Open, Round Four

Casey storms to Irish Open title

Paul Casey won his first title since 2011 © PA Photos

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Irish Open leaderboard

Paul Casey carded a round-of-the-day 67 at Carton House to win his first title in two and a half years at the Irish Open.

Starting four behind overnight leader Joost Luiten, Casey rolled home five birdies in six holes from the eighth while his Dutch rival dropped two shots in a remarkable swing at the top of the leaderboard.

But a three-shot lead quickly became one when Casey bogeyed the par-five 15th - despite leaving himself just 40-yards after a stunning approach shot - and the 16th.

Casey, who has been plagued with injury since his last Tour win at the Volvo Golf Champions in January 2009 and has fallen from world No. 3 down to 169th, shrugged off the late wobble to hole a monster eagle putt at 18 and clinch the title.

"It's an incredibly sweet feeling," Casey said. "It's been a while and it's a feeling of half relief and half satisfaction for playing great round of golf. Winning the Irish Open is a dream.

"I love playing in Ireland, I always have, and the Irish Open has great history. The trophy I am holding right here, just looking at Seve's name on there, couple of times actually, right next to my thumb and Christy O'Connor as well."

Luiten, whose last victory was just three weeks ago at the Lyoness Open, did manage a birdie down the last to finish in a tie for second with Robert Rock, while joint-overnight leader Pablo Larrazabal also struggled to a 75 to finish fourth.

Victorious Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal was one of a group of five to finish on eight-under, alongside compatriots Alvaro Quiros and Rafa Cabrera-Bello, as well as Northern Ireland's Gareth Shaw and home favourite Shane Lowry, who won this event as an amateur in 2009.

Defending champion Jamie Donaldson was a shot back at seven-under alongside fellow Brits Danny Willett and Peter Whiteford.

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