• PGA Tour

McIlroy magic has revitalised Casey

ESPN staff
March 8, 2012
Paul Casey makes his return at the WGC-Cadillac Championship this week © Getty Images
Enlarge

Former world No. 3 Paul Casey says the shoulder injury he picked up in December last year has helped him to rediscover his love for golf.

Casey has not teed it up this year, having sustained the problem in a snowboarding accident on Christmas Eve, but will return at the WGC-Cadillac Championship on Thursday.

And once he has shaken off the inevitable rust, he expects he will be in great shape to challenge for the title at April's Masters, at which he has twice secured a top-ten finish. He is likely to face a strong challenge at Augusta from world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, whose play this season has caught Casey's eye.

"Sitting on the sofa, going to rehab, and watching the great golf that has been played this year has lit a fire," Casey said to the Times. "I've certainly regained my love for the game. Maybe it's the best injury I've had.

"Without it, I may be sitting here tired and looking at the Masters, three months into the year and thinking, 'I'm exhausted. When am I going to get a break?'"

Ryder Cup hopeful Casey has not tasted victory since lifting the trophy at the Volvo Golf Champions in January 2011.

Meanwhile, Ian Poulter is determined to play this week following a bout of illness. "Flying down to Doral in the morning, it's going to take more than pneumonia to keep me out for long, itching to get back. Mind over matter," he tweeted.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices