Casey’s ace named top shot
PAUL Casey’s Ryder Cup hole-in-one has been voted as the European PGA Tour’s shot of the year.
The Englishman used a four-iron to ace the 213-yards 14th hole while playing fourballs with David Howell against Americans Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson on the second day of the clash at the K-Club outside Dublin in September.
That effort gave the win to Casey and Howell by five and four, the first time in Ryder Cup history that a hole-in-one had closed out a match.
It was also the first ace in the Ryder Cup since Howard Clark’s effort at Oak Hill in 1995.
The rampant Europe team went on to defend the trophy by a record-equalling 18.5-9.5 points.
“I knew I had struck it well, turning it on the wind, but when the crowd erupted at the back of the green, it was a bizarre moment,” said Casey.
“I didn’t want to celebrate too soon in case it hadn’t gone in.
“That’s why you can see my delayed reaction before throwing my arms in the air.
“How often do you finish off a Ryder Cup match without walking off the tee?.”
Agence France-Presse