Paul Casey: ‘I didn’t make a stand’

• Paul Casey maintains he ‘never took a stand’ on Ryder Cup
• The Englishman hasn’t played since the defeat in 2008
• Insists that it was entirely family reasons behind his decision

Paul Casey has maintained that he ‘never took a stand’ in his decision not to rejoin the European Tour and make himself available for the Ryder Cup.

The 39-year-old, who hasn’t played in the Ryder Cup since 2008, was hurt by Colin Montgomerie’s decision not to pick him as a wildcard for Celtic Manor in 2010 and subsequently failed to make it to both Medinah and Gleneagles.

“It’s never been a stand” – Paul Casey

But after back-to-back runner-up finishes in the FedEx Cup, Casey stands a realistic chance of going on to win at East Lake the week before the Ryder Cup – highlighting real questions over the current qualification process.

However, he is adamant that there was no malice in his decision to opt out of qualifying for Hazeltine, saying that it was purely for family reasons.

Read more -> Rory McIlroy questions Ryder Cup process

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“I didn’t make a stand,” he said after the final round of the BMW Championship. “I made a decision to not rejoin the European Tour to try and spend as much time with my family. It’s never been a stand.

“I still have massive love for the European Tour” – Paul Casey

“I still have massive love for the European Tour and I’m going to watch Hazeltine and not being part of a Ryder Cup is a byproduct of making that decision, it was never part of that decision. And it’s going to, I’m going to watch it with a sort of sadness that I can’t be part of that.”

Now fifth in the FedEx Cup, Paul Casey believes he’s in his best form since 2009 – where he won three times – and feel he’s in the right place to really kick on and re-enter the winner’s circle for the first time in more than two years.

Read more -> Lawrie explains Knox Ryder Cup decision

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“I’m taking a lot ,” he added. “It’s just wonderful to be playing this sort of golf. I played this sort of golf years ago and I always felt that I could produce it again.

“The beautiful thing is, I’ve got everything in place now. I’ve still got Kostis giving me the tips, I got Johnny Mac on the bag and Pollyanna and Lex at home, so I feel great. I think the only thing that saddens me slightly is that it’s the fact that I’ve been a Nike guy for so long and now that’s kind of – I would love to be winning FedEx Cups and stuff for them.”
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Paul Casey :: Should he be playing?

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