England’s Paul Casey hopes to spring a surprise in this week’s World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai to end a frustrating injury-hit season the way he started it.
Casey fell out of last week’s world match-play championship on the first day still suffering the effects of the rib injury which had sidelined him for three months.
And despite his world number four status, Casey is an outsider to add to the titles he won in Abu Dhabi, Houston and in May’s PGA championship at Wentworth.
He had risen to third in the world and second in the Race to Dubai before suffering the injury during practice for the Open and was still struggling with the injury during yesterday’s Shanghai pro-am.
Many in the field this week have their sights set on important earnings – with the Race to Dubai nearing its conclusion and a large haul of Ryder Cup points on offer. There are 20 of the world’s leading 30 golfers taking part, but Casey has much smaller goals in his sights.
He said: “It is going all right. I am not at full health and full fitness but it is nice to be out on the golf course. The injury still pulls, it still hurts. It is on its way to be 100% but I have just got to be careful.
“But I also think it is good enough so I can go round and shoot a decent score and get into contention.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could play some decent stuff.
“I really wanted to finish the season the way I started it. That would be the ultimate goal. The Race to Dubai, Ryder Cup points and world rankings are all on the goals list, but for me it about getting back out, enjoying it and figuring out how to play.
“There is no pressure on me but I would love to get in contention.”
Casey has slipped to fifth in the Race to Dubai but, despite his spell on the sidelines, is still well in touch of order of merit leader Lee Westwood.
There is substantial prize money on offer in Shanghai and Hong Kong before the season-ending Dubai World Championship later this month.
Westwood, along with all but one of the top 15 in the Race to Dubai, tees off as Europe’s best face off against FedEx Cup series winner Tiger Woods and Tour Championship winner Phil Mickelson.
Westwood said: “This time of year they are all big tournaments. Even though they aren’t anymore important than the tournaments the rest of the year, it is coming down to the end of the order of merit and there is more of a highlight on them.
“I am feeling good. I am in the best position on the order of merit and I don’t need any more motivation than that.”
World number one Woods is out to maintain his impressive WGC record, which stands at 16 titles from 30 events after winning August’s Bridgestone Invitational.
Woods said: “I have a simple strategy and that is to finish lower than anyone else. It is just one of those things I have enjoyed, playing against such great fields.”