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Hot shot Casey well on course

05/10/2006

Paul Casey has taken a giant leap towards wrapping up this season's European Order of Merit after shooting a red-hot opening round of 63 to lead the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The English star, who currently leads the money rankings by £80,000 from Ryder Cup team-mate David Howell, carded seven birdies and a brilliant eagle two on the par-four 337-yard sixth at Kingsbarns to reach nine under par and establish a one-shot lead.

Bradley Dredge, leading the way at St Andrews, and Johan Edfors had earlier set the pace at eight under while Gary Evans and Vijay Singh, the world number five, both shot 65s to put themselves into contention.

Five players find themselves tied for sixth place one shot further back including Anders Hansen, who shot Carnoustie's lowest score today, plus England prospect Nick Dougherty and Ryder Cup member Padraig Harrington, playing with JP McManus.

Howell, who is struggling with a shoulder injury and is playing alongside actor Hugh Grant in this world famous pro-am event, had been the long-time leader of the Order until Casey won the World Matchplay title at Wentworth the week before the Ryder Cup.

With just under half a million pounds on offer to the winner this week, Howell was still very much in the hunt at the start of play but a disastrous round of four over par at Kingsbarns has left him 13 shots off the pace and all but out of the race.

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