European Tour win number 15 for Paul Casey who declares, 'I feel like I've regained my youth'

Paul Casey with his trophy in Dubai. Image credit: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Paul Casey cruised  to a four-stroke victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday (January 31), winning his 15th European Tour title at the iconic Emirates Golf Club, writes John Whitbread.

The 43 year old Weybridge ace, who won his first tournament 20 years ago, left behind one of the unhappiest years of his golfing career with an emotional triumph.

Casey had struggled to adapt to what he described as the “soulless” no crowd playing environment during the pandemic, with his only top-10 finish in 2020 coming at the PGA Championship when he tied for second.

He travelled to Dubai having not played on the European Tour since the end of 2019 and, aided by a new driver and a new mindset, wound up easing to victory after shooting a two-under 70 in the final round.

“It’s something very cool because the past year not been great,” said Casey, who jumps to 15th in the world rankings after his first win since the European Open in September 2019. “I didn’t enjoy my golf in 2020. I mean, I played well one week but that was about it.

“It was totally soulless. No emotion. A whole bunch of feelings. I’ve not enjoyed it. And I’ve now realised how much I love doing what I do, but I love doing it in the environment with people watching and the crowd and the noise. It can be heckling, it can be cheering and seeing the emotion on people’s faces and some people are rooting for the guy standing next to you, and some people are rooting for you. It’s just everything.”

Just having some people beside the fairways at Emirates Golf Club made him feel more alive. “From 2020 to now, here, I’m rejuvenated,” Casey said. “I feel totally different.”

Casey began the day with a one-shot lead thanks to a superb eight-under par 64 in the third round and as all the chasers faltered he was able to enjoy the atmosphere even more on the the par 5 18th as he two-putted for birdie to finish the tournament on 17-under-par with a total of 271.

“It’s very, very special,” he said. “It’s an unbelievable roster of winners. That’s so cool, I’ve worked so hard.

“I feel like I’ve regained my youth, I mean that sincerely.

“It does feel special to add this title to my Abu Dhabi wins, especially when you see the names of some of my all-time heroes on this trophy - Seve, Tiger, Ernie, and you can throw Monty and Rory in there too.

“I’m always emotional after wins, but with this one, is such a prestigious event. The history of this tournament is amazing and the list of winners is basically a Who’s Who in world golf.

“Dubai has given so much to golf, and this is one of the game’s most iconic trophies. Plus, from my point of view, 15 European Tour wins is pretty cool.”

It’s a win that boosts Casey’s chances of making Europe’s Ryder Cup team for a second straight time, after Paris in 2018, and European captain Padraig Harrington was standing at the back of the 18th to congratulate him.

“There’s a long way to go. I’d love to be part of his team, in any capacity,” Casey said. “I’d obviously love to be on the golf course, first, because I think that’s where I’m most useful and if I’m not on the golf course, I’d still love to be part of his [Harrington’s backroom] team.”

Paul Casey comes from Weybridge, Surrey.