Casey hits top shot in Fabruary

Paul Casey’s superb six iron strike for an eagle two during the final of the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play, has been awarded The European Tour Shot of the Month for February. The Englishman knew he had to conjure up something special to get back into the 36 hole showdown against Geoff Ogilvy after the Australian had moved four up after nine and, coming to the 493 yard tenth hole at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Arizona, he did just that. Faced with a shot of some 197 yards, into the wind and downhill, the nine time European Tour champion produced a perfect six iron, the ball checking beautifully on the putting surface before rolling into the hole. “It was a really good shot, I knew it as soon as it had left the club,” said 31 year old Casey, who eventually lost the final 4 and 3. “I struck it well, I hit it where I was aiming and it looked good in the wind. I hit three wood off the tee which was always the game plan to get into the correct position and it shows that sometimes that is the best thing to do.
“I am delighted to have won the Shot of the Month Award as it is always nice to have your good play recognised. It made my day when I was told the news.” Second place in February went to another Englishman, Ross McGowan, for his excellent fairway wood approach to the par five ninth hole of The Vines Resort and Country Club during the Johnnie Walker Classic which set up an eagle three; while a third Englishman, Ian Poulter, took third place for his fine escape from a fairway bunker on the 17th during his match with Charl Schwartzel in the WGC – Accenture Match Play, a shot which not only set up a tap-in-birdie but which also gave him the impetus to go on and win the match. Casey is the second winner of the 2009 season, the January award having gone to Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy for the bunker shot which helped him win the Dubai Desert Classic. The European Tour Shot of the Month is presented to the Tour Member for the shot judged to be the most outstanding played during each calendar month on The European Tour International Schedule. The winning shots from each month are entered into The European Tour Shot of the Year.