• The Masters

Casey confesses to fatigue as fitness fears grow

ESPN staff
April 7, 2010
Paul Casey withdrew from the Houston Open with a shoulder injury © Getty Images
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Paul Casey has confessed that he is short of his peak fitness level as he prepares for the Masters, which begins on Thursday.

World No. 6 Casey was unable to defend his Houston Open title last week after he was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury.

Despite this, he will compete at the Masters - although he concedes that he is still feeling the effects of his affliction. Speaking after his final practice round at Augusta, Casey said: "It was great for probably 13 or 14 holes, but then I got a bit tired.

"It's probably because I didn't play last week. I would not want to play 36 holes [a day] round here. As for the shoulder, I'm having ultrasound and cold laser at nights, anti-inflammatories, massage - and that will continue all week."

Casey feels that his new-found mental fortitude will help to atone for any deficiencies in his physical fitness, however. "I'm not overly-excited about my physical state, but from a mental state, I'm much more mature than two years ago," he said.

"It's so annoying I don't quite have the ball-striking I did then, but I still have my length and I feel good about my chances, I really do. This is a course where you need to be incredibly patient and plot your way round like a chess game."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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