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GOLF: PGA EUROPEAN TOUR: Paul Casey Wins RBS Shot of the Year Award

/noticias.info/ Paul Casey’s memorable hole-in-one during The Ryder Cup at The K Club in Ireland has been voted the RBS Shot of the Year for 2006 by a panel comprising TV, radio and golfing media. Casey, who won the monthly award for that spectacular shot in September, receives the RBS Shot of the Year Trophy and £2000 to donate to a charity of his choice.

The 29 year old Englishman, who was named last week as The European Tour Golfer of the Year, is the fourth winner of the RBS-sponsored award, following Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson in 2003, David Howell of England in 2004 and Ireland’s Paul McGinley last year.

By coincidence, when Howell won the RBS Shot of the Year Award in 2004 he was partnering Casey in The Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills. Two years on, the roles were reversed with Howell looking on as Casey holed his four iron from 213 yards on the 14th hole of the Palmer Course during the Saturday fourball match against Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson 5 and 4.

It was the first time that anyone had closed out a Ryder Cup match in the history of the event, and Casey’s spectacular ace was the first since Howard Clark’s effort at Oak Hill in 1995.

Casey, who finished runner-up to Padraig Harrington of Ireland in The European Tour Order of Merit, said: “It was my first hole-in-one in a professional tournament and to achieve it in a Ryder Cup was an unbelievable experience. I can remember watching countless replays of people like Nick Faldo and Howard Clark making holes in one at previous Ryder Cups and I am looking forward to seeing this one replayed again and again.

“I knew I had struck it very well, turning it on the wind, but when the crowd erupted at the back of the green it was a bizarre moment. I didn’t want to celebrate too soon in case it hadn’t gone in. That’s why you can see my delayed reaction before throwing my arms in the air. It was amazing. How often do you finish off a Ryder Cup match without walking off the tee? It was a very surreal situation and I don’t suppose I will ever replicate that shot under those circumstances.

“I feel very privileged to win the RBS Shot of the Year. There were so many great shots played during the season and I feel very lucky that mine has been voted the best of them. It is a very, very special award.”

In second place was the August winner - a brilliant seven iron approach to the final green in the EnterCard Scandinavian Masters. Requiring a birdie to force a play-off with local hero, Robert Karlsson, the 2006 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year conjured up a superb recovery to ten feet. Warren holed the resulting birdie putt and triumphed in the play-off to secure his first European Tour title.

Third place went to American Kevin Stadler, who won the February Award for his 220 yard three iron to the final hole in the Johnnie Walker Classic. Stadler’s ball came to rest just 12 inches from the pin for a tap-in eagle three and a two-year exemption on The European Tour International Schedule.

The RBS Shot of the Month Award, in association with The European Tour, Sky Sports and The Daily Telegraph, 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 towards the RBS Shot of the Year Award.

The full list of winners in 2006 were: Henrik Stenson (January), Kevin Stadler (February), Paul Broadhurst (March), José Maria Olazábal (April), Darren Clarke (May), Colin Montgomerie (June), Ernie Els (July), Marc Warren (August), Paul Casey (September), Niclas Fasth (October). notas_de_prensa_archivo