Strange ending to Casey's challenge

Steve Saunders
Friday 30 October 2009 01:00 GMT
Comments
(Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Paul Casey, the highest ranked player in the tournament at No 4, cannot progress out of the group stage of the World Match Play Championship after losing twice yesterday.

The Englishman lost by a hole to Scott Strange of Australia and 3 and 2 to American Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim. Casey, who just returned after tearing a rib muscle on 6 August, lost to the 168th-ranked Strange when he missed a seven-foot birdie chance at the last. Asked how the rib felt, Casey said: "Not great. I can't swing the way I want. I'm coming out of a lot of the shots. Scott played well but, having said that, I gave him three holes on the front and you can't do that against anybody in this field."

Kim tops Group A with four points after also beating two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa 3 and 2 in the tournament's new round-robin group format.

"This is the first round where I really played solid in over a year," Kim said. "I've been scoring pretty sporadically... but this was a consistent round with some great ball-striking. It's important to get a huge lead because if there is a tiebreaker, then that counts. We're just trying to keep our foot on the gas."

Sergio Garcia of Spain lost to Oliver Wilson of England, but salvaged a point after halving with Robert Allenby of Australia.

*Ian Poulter's five-under 66 gave him a one shot clubhouse lead at the end of the first day of the rain-interrupted Singapore Open. Half of the field have still to complete their opening rounds.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in