Paul Casey aims for grand double with Qatar Masters win

By N.D. Prashant/Doha

THE PERFECT SWING: USA’s Paul Casey in action at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters Pro-Am yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram

Fresh after his morale-boosting triumph in Bahrain, Paul Casey is aiming for a grand Gulf double when he tees off at the Doha Golf Club today.
The World No 6 is banking on his current form to deliver the goods and was quite confident after getting a feel of the course at the end of the ProAm yesterday.
"The course is in great condition but it is playing very difficult. It has got very thick rough this week. I think we have to drive the goal ball very very well. The length is always an advantage around here because it is a very long course but we need to keep it on the fairways. I like it and if the weather stays like this nice and sunny, I will be a happy man,” said the Englishman, who won in Bahrain by one stroke over Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jimenez after a closing 68 for a 20-under total of 268. With that victory, Casey also ended his title drought since 2009.
The 32-yr-old feels that he has amazing control over his shots in the desert wind and will try to make the most of it.
"I think I can repeat my Bahrain performance. I’m playing well and have good control over the golf ball. I feel I’m playing very good golf. I’m striking the ball well and also controlling the spin.
"Last week was tiring and I think every time you win, it takes a bit of energy. So I need to make sure that I save all the energy for tomorrow. There is no reason why I can’t play well and give myself a chance to win another tournament.”
Casey was of the view that the Doha Golf Course might prove a bit tougher for the shorter golfers.
"With the golf course changing the length of the rough and the length of the golf course, sometimes it can play into certain players’ hands. The shorter golfer is probably going to struggle around here but that’s the way it is.
"You know, there are so many tournaments around the world that sometimes you have to go and play in tournaments that suit your game. If this one doesn’t suit you, then you should try and avoid,” says Casey adding that Doha’s long course however was very much to his liking.
"I play well on long, tough courses but they are not always enjoyable to play…  Sometimes, they are very tough and very demanding. It takes a lot out of you mentally and physically but I do play them well. I think this golf course sets up well for me.”
The England star was also quick to reveal that a feel good factor is also important when a player steps onto a course.
"I felt good in Abu Dhabi as well. There are some golf courses where I struggle and sometimes I don’t want to go there and play at all. I try to avoid if I can. You can never avoid it if it is a Major because you have to play in Majors. Good example would be the WGC Matchplay. When it was to be in La Costa in California I never made it past the first round. I struggled there. Now it is in Tucson and I’ve made the final twice…So yes there are certain choices.”
Casey has also set his sights on winning a Major this season and all these tournaments are part of his build-up programme.
"Major victories is what I’m aiming at. Winning at Augusta is my short-term goal as of now. Of course, I have long-term goals as well. However, if I can win as many tournaments before Augusta it would be good. The winning habit is important. I did it in Bahrain and that was great. Winning here with a great field would do wonders to my confidence,” said Casey, who would be heading to the US for the WGC Match Play next.