Casey reveals US woe
June 12, 2012 15:20:57 UK
Paul Casey will concentrate on getting himself fully fit for next month's Open Championship after reluctantly admitting defeat in his bid to play in the US Open.
Paul Casey will miss out on the US Open this week.Casey has withdrawn from the second Major of the year, which starts on Thursday, after failing to overcome the shoulder injury that has plagued him in the first six months of 2012.
The 34-year-old has been battling to regain full fitness ever since dislocating his shoulder in a snowboarding accident last Christmas and has suffered a series of setbacks since then.
After withdrawing from this week's US Open field in San Francisco, Casey could now make his comeback at next week's BMW International Open in Germany, as he bids to kick-start his season in time for next month's Open at Royal Lytham.
He told Sky Sports: "You're always disappointed to miss time due to injury, but it's especially true when you have to withdraw from the US Open.
"I've been trying to play my way back and I feel like I probably came back too soon originally.
"It's affecting my ability right now to be ready for the test of a major. I do feel like I'm very nearly ready, but not quite ready for this week."
Casey's misfortune means a late call-up to the line-up for teenage prodigy Andy Zhang, with the 14-year-old set to become the youngest player at the US Open since the Second World War.
Zhang will be joined at the Olympic Golf Club by fellow amateur Jordan Spieth, a member of last year's American Walker Cup side in Aberdeen, who will get his chance after Brandt Snedeker pulled out with a rib injury.
American Tiger Woods is the 9.00 favourite to win the US Open, with England's Lee Westwood at 13.00 to claim the title this weekend.
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