German MastersRyder Cup star Paul Casey provided further proof he has overcome the worst slump in his career by impressing in the German Masters in Cologne yesterday. Casey, third in Switzerland last week, carded a first-round 67, five under par, to lie just one shot off the lead after a sweltering day at Gut Larchenhof, where temperatures reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Gary Murphy is best of the five Irishmen in the field after a two-under-par 70. Graeme McDowell and Damien McGrane are a shot back on 71, with Peter Lawrie on 73. But Padraig Harrington struggled to a three-over-par 75.
English duo Barry Lane and Andrew Marshall, and Wales' Bradley Dredge, were among a six-strong group sharing the lead on six under, with Casey in a group which includes tournament promoter Bernhard Langer and double US Open champion Retief Goosen.
After winning the TCL Classic earlier this season, Casey was an amazing 61 over par for 11 rounds up to and including the British Open at St Andrews.
A 68 in the NEC Invitational last month was the first time he had broken 70 since his victory in China, and third in the European Masters behind Sergio Garcia proved he was getting back to his best.
"I'm very happy with the game, it's right where I want it to be," said Casey, who carded six birdies and one bogey. "I played nicely at the BMW International but for some reason I just didn't feel energised, and then got to Switzerland, knew the Ryder Cup points were starting and that was obviously the kind of kick I needed I guess."
Ian Poulter, meanwhile, escaped becoming the second Ryder Cup star in the space of a week to be fined by the European Tour for bad behaviour.
Just two days after Sergio Garcia was fined for kicking an advertising board during the European Masters, Poulter took a similarly violent dislike to a bunker in the first round yesterday.
After failing to fully escape from the trap with his third shot on the par-five 13th - his third hole - Poulter twice angrily slammed his club into the ground behind him.
The incident took place in full view of a rules official who described it as a "disgrace" and said he would be reporting Poulter to tournament director Mikael Eriksson. However, after speaking to Poulter after his round, Eriksson decided there was no further action to be taken.
Poulter had managed to save par on the 13th by chipping to within inches of the hole with his fourth shot, but by then the damage had already been done in every sense. Poulter finished the day on level-par 72.
