Paul Casey, a former European Ryder Cup star who played five times in the match, will not be playing in this year’s match because he has moved to LIV Golf. But that doesn’t mean Casey doesn’t still care about his competition.
Casey recently spoke to John Huggan of Golf Digest about his thoughts on this year’s Ryder Cup in Rome, which takes place from Sept. 29 – Oct. 1.
This article is well worth reading. Here are some highlights.
Casey replied, “I will tell you what a great captain Padraig is.” “The caddies purchased him a timepiece. The caddies bought him a Rolex, and he was in tears when he received it from them in Dubai a few days after the matches. This said a lot. Caddies don’t usually like to dip their hands into their pockets in order to find players. It was the opposite of what would happen if we had won. Padraig would buy each caddie an expensive watch. He was highly respected.”
Casey admits that some Euro stars from the past may not have been eligible for the team even if LIV were available, but they will be missed.
“I still would have [Ian Poulter] involved.” It’s going to be a big loss in Rome if there aren’t guys like Poulter or [Lee] Westwood around. I’ve been to those locker rooms. “The pundits and commentators haven’t.”
Paul Casey, of the European Team, celebrates after holing a birdie putt during the singles matches at Le Golf National in Paris on September 30, 2018. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images).
Casey hopes that the Euro LIV golfers can be brought into the fold once the divisions in the game are repaired.
The Ryder Cup has a great deal of value for golf in Europe. It is not only a financial success. We don’t wish to damage it any further than we have already. I don’t follow much golf outside of majors. I’ll watch the Ryder Cup. I may even wear a Euro-team shirt under my top. “I won’t be able to hear the commentary though,” he laughed.
Casey has said that he does not regret his decision to join LIV.
He says, “Moving from LIV to LIV changed me for better” as a human being. “I think I was in a downward spiral, and it wasn’t a good spiral. Pro golfers say so many things that people do not want to hear. It doesn’t matter what sport you play. I tried to play on multiple tours. There were also team matches, the Olympics and other things. It was exhausting. You see, I want to continue doing what I am doing. It was inevitable that something would have to go. “I just don’t feel like doing it as much.”
You can read the entire story by clicking here.
