Paul "Mr Consistency" Casey does it again

BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2006 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles | Wrap | 26 Jun 2006

Paul Casey has developed a level of consistency in 2006 that has him with his sights well and truly on David Howell in the pursuit of money list honours on the European Tour in 2006.

Admittedly he is still nearly €500,000 behind Howell, but the manner in which he is playing and the opportunities that the next few weeks offer could well see him challenging for the top spot by the end of July.

Casey has played thirteen events worldwide in 2006, has not missed a cut and has been inside the top twenty on eleven of those thirteen occasions. This was his first win in 2006, but such is his level of consistency that he has amassed earnings of nearly €1.4 million in that time. Casey had played well at last week’s US Open when 15th.

Casey certainly has a liking for the Jack Nicklaus designed Gleneagles Centenary layout having won here in 2001 in his rookie season. Today, when he birdied his opening three holes, it did appear as if he might run away with the title but a combination of his own mistakes and strong finishes from Soren Hansen saw him only just get over the line. Marshall perhaps blew a great opportunity to win his first ever European Tour event when he failed to birdie either of the two par fives at the 16th and 18th but he will be pleased with his most significant finish on the European Tour.

Marshal talked afterwards about the work he had been doing with a sports psychologist in recent times trying to not get too down on himself. It seemed to work well for him as he recovered from a slow start to his final round to earn by far his biggest cheque in the game.

Despite a poor front nine today, perhaps the cumulative effect of a demanding seven days, Colin Montgomerie was still threatening danger with just a few holes to go but no sooner had be birdied the 16th to get within one than he bogeyed the next hole. He eventually shared fourth with Thomas Bjorn, just two shots from the winner. Like Marshall, Bjorn missed opportunities at both par fives late in the round which could well have seen him challenging for his second title in his last four European starts.

Brett Rumford was the best of the Australians finishing in 7th place and continuing a good season for him. He was unable to capitalise on the par fives over the closing holes but this would be his second top ten in his last four European Tour starts.

Stephen Scahill had a better week when 22nd as did Peter Senior who also finished 22nd after a final round of 68 which included an eagle at the last.

Marcus Fraser and Matthew Millar were 32nd and Wade Ormsby 56th.

The European Tour now heads back across the Channel to this week’s French Open at Le Golf National in Paris.