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Casey and Laird relishing new season challenges

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Iain Carter | 21:28 UK time, Monday, 4 January 2010

Just as , there was a British golfer making quiet yet crucial progress in his rehabilitation from the lowest point of his own career.

But the circumstances couldn't be more different - the only self-inflicted aspect to Paul Casey's problem was undertaking a drill that had him over-reaching as he sought more power from his driver.

It was, of course Tiger's driving of a different kind that triggered the remarkable chain of events that leave the golfing world wondering when it will see the game's best player again.

What we can, happily, say with certainty is that we do know when we will see Casey, because the world number eight begins his 2010 season this week in a field of champions .

His appearance comes after completing a second comeback from the injury that wrecked what was shaping up to be the best year of his golfing life in 2009.

That return to action came at Woods' tournament in California in early December. As the world number one dramatically disappeared off radar, Casey slipped back into view by completing all four rounds of the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club.

The week, which was also significant for him having Luke Donald's caddie brother Christian on his bag, started with a rusty 75 but finished with a sparkling 64 that might have been even lower.

Paul CaseyCasey is hoping his injury worries are behind him

You could say Christmas came at just the wrong time for the Arizona-based Englishman because although Casey felt some tenderness in the rib injury he knew he was at last ready to be playing again.

The problem first occurred back in July during a driving drill ahead of the Open at Turnberry and although he completed all four rounds, his finish in a disappointing share of 47th place effectively ended his season.

Prior to that, he had won three times at in and and at and had played some of the best golf of his career in doing so. There's never a good time for an injury, but this was particularly harsh.

, but succumbed to a recurrence of the injury a week later in the final round of the . He retreated to the locker room in tears of pain and frustration and with serious questions hanging over his career.

His year seemed over until he decided he was ready to give it another go at Tiger's tournament. Those four completed rounds at Thousand Oaks at the beginning of last month were so important. He felt stiffness in the area of the injury in the mornings and evenings but was able to make confident swings out of the rough which was crucial.

Since then he has had four weeks of close season and judging by messages on his is now raring to go. It's the first time he's been eligible for the PGA Tour's season opener which is always restricted to winners from the previous year.

"I want to (go to Hawaii) and I should as well," he says. "First time being qualified for that, I think it is only right."

Casey won't provide the sole British interest on the Pacific island as .

For Laird, the landscape has changed massively after winning that Justin Timberlake- sponsored vevent and he's the first Scot to play in this event since Paul Lawrie finished in a share of eighth place in 2000. .

Aside from starting his season amid the swaying palms of , the 27 year old from Glasgow can also look forward to accepting invitations from Arnold Palmer to play at Bay Hill and from Jack Nicklaus to play the Memorial. He will also compete in the AT&T at Congressional where the invitation historically would come from Woods. Alas, Tiger has been removed from hosting duties as a result of his indifinite leave.

Laird is hoping for encouraging early results to claim a place in the Masters but isn't putting too much pressure on himself.

"I need a great start to the season for that to even enter my thinking," he says. "Although it would be great to play in the Masters, that isn't one of my major goals for 2010."

His other priorities include a return to the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond with the fervent hope that he will have done enough to make it a two week trip to include an Open debut at .

The US-based Scot is now an affiliate member of the European Tour so in theory if he is able to harness the confidence he gained from that Las Vegas win.

He always appears to be the most level headed of characters and is unlikely to get too carried away just yet though.

He knows the downs as well as the ups of this game, just as Casey does. Both will be hoping this week signals the start of a sustained upward spell.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Good luck to Casey and Laird, hopefully we'll see more of Laird with the PGA Tour back on SKY. Wouldn't it have been nice Ian if you could have just resisted another mention of Tiger in the opening two paragraphs... seemed a tenuous link at best. Your coverage of the whole episode has been much more balanced in recent weeks it's a shame you couldn't resist.

  • Comment number 2.

    Why oh why Iain, do you have to try and shovel some irrelevent comments about Tiger into this article? I'm not going to bash any of your Tiger articles.. because it's clearly the biggest story in golf... but this has nothing to do with him and your attempted "tenuous" links do not work. Sorry, just disappointed. I expect more from you.

  • Comment number 3.

    I can't believe that you have managed to shoe-horn Tiger into this article, not once, but twice.

    You should include a disclaimer after each reference to Tiger Woods, along the lines of "(Other golfers exist)".

  • Comment number 4.

    The only point being made by mentioning Tiger is that Casey's return last year may well have been overlooked because so much attention at the time was on Woods.
    Apologies to anyone offended by this.

  • Comment number 5.

    Good luck to Casey and The Laird; both should be well-suited to Kapalua's spacious fairways.
    Have to question you a little on your idea of Martin Laird's schedule though Iain. Yes, he will receive invitations to the events you mention. Not sure Bay Hill would be a good fit for his game (tho Muirfield Village probably is), however, and WHY would he want to play the AT&T where your favourite fat-lipped icon is no longer the "Host"?

    It's the week before Loch Lomond, which he'll presumably play following his good showing last year, and will not be at Congressional, but Philadelphia's Aronomink, so doubt he'd be well-advised to play a new course (for him) which is unlikely to suit him. Much more likely he'll take a break in Europe, perhaps even Le Golf National.

  • Comment number 6.

    Nice read Iain. Glad to see some coverage for Laird as it's easy for the US based Brits to become forgotten.

    In the absence of he who should not be discussed, who do you think are best placed to take advantage? With so many home and euro players in the top 50, this could potentially be thebest year ever heading up to the Ryder cup. Would be great if Westwood could land a major. I fancy poulter for some strong results too.

  • Comment number 7.

    Hi golfing brothers. Another good read Ian. I reckon Casey will make the major breakthrough. When he gets it going he's unstoppable. He was unfortunate with injuries last year. I'm looking forward to seeing him Westy and Mcilroy larging it this year. I'm going to hilton head island for a 40th golfing break with 3 old school friends Anyone out there been?

  • Comment number 8.

    rustyr,
    I know Hilton Head pretty well, have been there about 15 times. Go on to one of my threads and I can help you out.
    First, get your flight and accomodations sorted out and go from there; I usually stay in Palmetto Dunes where there are three courses at which you should be able to get a golfing deal as well.

    Iain,
    If you go to Congressional for the AT&T, you're wasting the 91Èȱ¬'s money, fly to Philly and you'll be in business.

  • Comment number 9.

    Personally, I'm a follower of the English golfers and it's great to see Casey back and hopefully he can continue the form he was showing before the injury sidelined him. I think 2010 may well give us our first English major winner in a long time. Both Casey and Westwood are capable of reaching the highest level. I look forward to seeing the cross of St George flying over the winner's 'rostrum' at Augusta or any of the other major venues this year.

    And I echo the comments about Eldrick Woods. Let's hear less about him unless he's actually playing golf. Nobody cares!

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