The Masters: Why Paul Casey is a Serious Contender This Week
By Tim Letcher
Paul Casey has never won a major championship in his career. But he is a serious contender this week at the Masters, where he leads after one round.
Paul Casey had the round of the day on Thursday at the Masters. And, with the first round suspended, he will hold the overnight lead.
The 43-year-old Casey played a nearly flawless round of golf at Augusta National on Thursday, and it started immediately. Playing the back nine first, Casey started his round with a birdie.
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He then went to Amen Corner, where he parred both the 11th and 12th holes. Then on the par-5 13th hole, Casey recorded his second birdie of the day, moving to 2-under on his round.
Casey would par the 14th hole, then would go register back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16. That got him to 4-under par on his round.
He would finish his first nine with a 4-under par 32, immediately making a statement that he will be a force to be reckoned with this week.
As he made the turn, Casey parred the first. On the second hole, he hit a booming drive on the par five, then stuck his second shot about seven feet to the left of the cup. He ran in the putt to get to 6-under on his round and to take the lead away from Webb Simpson.
Casey would never relinquish that lead the rest of the day. In fact, with a birdie on the par-3 sixth hole, he actually extended his lead to two. That would be the margin at the end of the day after Casey’s 7-under par 65 was two better than Simpson, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas, who was still on the course when play was halted due to darkness.
Casey has played in 65 major championships in his career without a win. In fact, his best finish ever in a major was earlier this year, when he tied for second at the PGA Championship.
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He has finished in the top 10 at the Masters five times in 13 appearances, so this is clearly not a mirage. On the first day of the 2020 Masters, Casey made a statement that he has come to Augusta National this week with his eyes on a certain green jacket and his first major championship.