Casey will take a three-shot lead into the final round after a third-round 65 gave him a 19-under-par total of 197 at Wentwood Hills. Overnight leader Simon Khan, who threatened the first-ever sub-60 round on the European Tour on his way to a course-record 61 on Friday, is the nearest challenger on 16 under after a 70, with South African James Kingston two shots further back.
Colin Montgomerie birdied the 18th to record a 69 and claim a share of fourth place with English duo Phil Golding (67) and John Bickerton (63) on 12 under. Defending champion Ian Poulter recorded a 66 to lie 10 under, but it looks too little, too late for the punter who placed £15,000 on the Englishman to retain his title at 14/1.
Casey currently lies in the 10th and final automatic qualifying position for Bernhard Langer's European team which will defend the trophy at Oakland Hills in September.
But victory on Sunday evening and the first prize of £250,000, would take him to sixth in the table with more than one million points, and almost guarantee him a debut in the biennial contest.
Ireland's Peter Lawrie is just off the pace having shot a third round 70 to lie 11-under-par, eight strokes behind Casey, going into the last day. Paul McGinley and Damien McGrane are six-under while Gary Murphy and Graeme McDowell are four- and two-under respectively.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
