Paul Casey has hit back at claims that he did not deserve a place in Colin Montgomerie’s team because of a lack of support for the European Tour.
The world No 9, rejected by Monty as a wildcard pick for next month’s showdown at Celtic Manor, insisted he is over the disappointment of being snubbed but that the selection process is in need of an overhaul.
And he has defended his position as a supporter of the European Tour, despite having spent most of his season playing in the United States.
Biting back: Paul Casey (centre) has hit back at claims he spent too much time playing in the US
‘I know how many I played in Europe compared to the guys who were picked, so I’m not going to even get into that,’ said Casey, who is in pursuit of a £6.5 million consolation prize at the BMW Championship in Chicago — where a second-round 69 left him two shots off the pace at halfway.
‘I did pick up some stuff about not supporting the Tour and I know the facts,’ he said.
He played 12 events on the European Tour, one more than Luke Donald and three more than Padraig Harrington, who were given wildcards. The third selection went to European loyalist Edoardo Molinari.
Casey was the first to admit that Monty was in a difficult position with so many Europeans now playing in the States and therefore sabotaging their chances.
