caseycancopewithopenpressure

Paul Casey is confident he can deal with the pressure of being Britain’s best bet for Open glory this week.

Having won on three different continents this year, Casey is the second highest ranked player in the field behind you-know-who but that’s something that doesn’t bother him in the slightest.

He commented: “It’s exciting to be the second highest ranked player here but it doesn’t really mean anything.

“I think the pressure I put on myself to play well in an Open Championship is enough and I feel very comfortable with the extra attention. It hasn’t bothered me.”

Now Casey is looking to take his game to the next level and achieve that long-awaited first major win. He’s had some nearmisses, including coming sixth in this year’s Masters but the big one has always eluded him.

Now he admits it’s time to step up to the plate. “I’ve been in the mix. I know what the pressure is like and it’s time to sort of put myself in the mix again.”

Casey is dreaming of victory, saying: “I want to be tied for the lead or one shot back  – or one ahead – with three or four holes to go. That’s when it really counts. Then you’ll see what I’m really made of.”

Casey is hoping to turn his Open dream into stark reality at Turnberry…