Casey pips Woods to win Valspar Championship
Paul Casey lands first PGA Tour title since 2009: "Sorry Tiger, but I've been waiting for this for so long."
After months of knocking on the door for a second carrer PGA Tour title, England's Paul Casey finally sealed the deal by sprinting through the pack to win the Valspar Championship.
Casey started the final round five shots off the pace but carded the joint lowest score of the day with a 6-under 65 to prevail by one shot on 10-under par.
Tiger Woods, who started the final round just one shot behind 54-hole leader Corey Conners, could only salvage a 1-under 70 to finish 9-under par alongside compatriot Patrick Reed, who bogeyed the final hole.
For Casey, the win marks his first on the PGA Tour since the 2009 Houston Open and it moves him up to 12th in the world rankings.
“Sorry, Tiger, but I’ve been waiting for this for so long,” said Casey, who had posted 11 top-10 finishes prior to his win in the past 12 months.
“It’s very rewarding to have a good putting Sunday. It’s the thing that’s been holding me back and the frustrating thing for a couple of years.”
Spain's Sergio Garcia matched Casey's 65 to shoot up to fourth on 8-under par.
PAUL CASEY: WHAT'S IN THE BAG
Driver: TaylorMade M4 (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana White LEX D+ 70TX Prototype
3 Wood: TaylorMade M1 2017 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana White D+ 80TX
Hybrid: Taylormade M3 4 Hybrid (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei White CK 100HY TX
Irons: Mizuno MP-25 (3), Mizuno MP-5 (4-PW)
Shaft: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 TX
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM6 (52-08F, 56-10S, 60-10K)
Shaft: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour120 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron Circle T 350-SSS
Grip: Scotty Cameron Pistol
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
