Lee Westwood shot a 73 yesterday but still missed the cut in the Great North Open as a result of his nine-over-par 81 in the first round. But those disappointed by his absence today might follow the fortunes of Paul Casey instead.
The 23-year-old from Surrey had a 66 yesterday to lie one shot behind the joint leaders Andrew Coltart and Bradley Dredge. Jamie Spence and Nicolas Vanhootegem share fourth place on six under.
Casey, who starred alongside Luke Donald in the 1999 Walker Cup victory at Nairn, is playing on sponsors' invitations this year. He wanted to play on the US Tour but was not guaranteed enough tournament starts and came home.
Under European Tour regulations he is allowed to play in seven tournaments, during which time he has to make the equivalent of last-place money, just over £70,000, on the 2000 European order of merit. If he succeeds he can accept as many sponsors' invitations as are on offer. So far he is £39,390 to the good from four.
He credited a putting change and a long-distance lesson with coach Peter Kostis as the keys to his opening rounds. Kostis is based in the United States and Casey receives advice via email and video. Kostis noticed from video evidence that Casey's posture was poor. The player responded and the high-tech lesson paid dividends.
The putting alteration came from watching his stroke in a mirror in his hotel bedroom. "I noticed I was a bit more hunched over the ball than normal, so I just stood up more. I wasn't holing those 12-15 footers that make the difference." Casey had seven birdies yesterday and only one dropped shot.
Coltart's putting action also helped him to a share of the lead. The Scot holed a couple of 50 footers yesterday in his 68, describing them later as "just a couple of tap-ins".
Westwood doubled-bogeyed the third yesterday and admitted he "couldn't wait for the round to end". Last year's order of merit winner will take next week off before heading for Ireland to defend the Smurfit European Open.
He does not rate his chances, however. "I'm swinging awful," he confessed. "There's no point in trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. I wish I had what I had before."
