Casey blasts state of British golf
Wednesday, 14 July 2004Comments by Paul Casey have sparked a debate about the state of British golf on the eve of the Open at Royal Troon. The ambitious 26-year-old believes that there should be more rising stars challenging for glory this week - and that there might have been if some spent less time drinking.
Without naming names, Casey said: "There are certain guys that show the George Best syndrome. They maybe piss it away a little bit. I don't think there is enough talent coming through. We should have 20-30 Paul Caseys, Justin Roses, Ian Poulters coming through."
"We have only got five or six guys. Luke Donald, David Howell. It is not enough - look how many good Americans there are. I know it is a big country, but still. This young British wave will come through, but I still think it will take another year before they are winning the big events."
"This is only my third full year on tour. It is easy to say 'Paul Casey is our big Open hope this year', but I have got a long way to go in terms of development and learning how to deal with winning major championships. And the same could be said about Justin, (Nick) Dougherty and the other young guys."
Britain, and indeed Europe, has been starved of success in recent years and Casey believes the young talent needs to be unearthed, and then developed.
"There is nothing wrong with the media or the public wanting to have another superstar to cheer along. I would like to be that person this year, to be up there challenging for the lead. It is frustrating that there is a bit of a lull just now. The last European winner of a major was Paul Lawrie (in the 1999 Open) and it is sad really."
Filed by Barry J Whyte
