Paul Casey: Irish Open winning clubs

Paul Casey returned to the winner’s circle in fine style with an eagle at the final hole to secure a three-shot victory at the Irish Open.

In tough conditions at Carton House, Casey fired a final round of 67 to beat countryman Robert Rock and overnight leader Joost Luiten.

This is Casey’s 12th European Tour title – he last won in Bahrain in early 2011 but suffered a slump in form since breaking his collarbone snowboarding in 2012.

Casey started the day four behind Luiten and when he reeled off seven consecutive pars at the start of his round there was little indication of what was to come.

But five birdies in six holes followed to give him a three shot lead, which was reduced to one with bogeys at the 15th and 16th.

The 35 year old’s advantage looked precarious coming down the par five last, but he found the green in two and signed off in style with a spectacular 45 foot eagle putt.

“It’s incredibly sweet,” said Casey, who finished second to Thomas Björn the last time the event was staged at Carton House in 2006. “It’s been a while and when that putt went in half of it was relief and half of it was satisfaction.

According to Casey, his win came as a result of his putting, coupled with his ball striking.

“The key has been putting,” said Casey.  “When I make putts I am going to shoot good rounds because the ball striking is there.”

Casey arrived at Carton House with a new Nike Method 006 prototype putter in his bag. He switched to the new Nike prototype putter because he liked the shape of it, which is very similar to the Method 006, but with softer and more rounded edges.  The Nike Method franchise features Nike’s polymetal groove technology, generating a faster forward roll at impact for increased accuracy and less skid.

Paul Casey In The Bag:

Driver: Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 10.5-degree (Diamana White Board 73X)
Fairway Wood: Nike VR_S Covert 3-wood/15-degree
Irons: Nike VR_S Forged (3), Nike VR Pro Combo (4-PW)
Wedges: Nike VR Pro 52-degree, 56-degree and 60-degree
Putter: Nike Method 006 Prototype
Ball: Nike 20XI
Apparel: Nike Tour Performance Collection and the new Nike Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket
Footwear: Nike Lunar Control