CASEY NAMED 2006 EUROPEAN
TOUR GOLFER OF THE YEAR
Paul Casey has been named 2006 European Tour Golfer of the Year following a wonderful season in which he won three times on the European Tour international schedule, played a key role in Europe’s record third successive Ryder Cup victory over the United States and came within £23,616 of capturing the Harry Vardon Trophy money title for the first time.
The 29-year-old Englishman receives the accolade for the first time in his short professional career after earning the vote of a panel comprising the Association of Golf Writers (AGW), Television, Radio and the European Tour.
Casey won the Volvo China Open, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and a cheque for £1 million after capturing the HSBC World match-play championship at Wentworth Club in the week prior to the Ryder Cup.
At The K Club, Casey was undefeated in four matches, winning twice and halving twice as Europe equalled their 18 ½ - 9 ½ margin of victory from 2004.
In the season-ending Volvo Masters, Casey was laid low by a virus which threatened his participation at Valderrama. However, he showed great fortitude in playing on before missing out on the Order of Merit to Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.
Ultimately, Harrington ended the season with £1,667,618 in prizemoney with Casey on £1,644,002.