Casey enjoys return to Masters leaderboard

Paul Casey has shot the best 36-hole Masters score of his career in the first two rounds this week at Augusta

Paul Casey shot 69-68 in the first two rounds of the 2015 Masters, his best ever start at Augusta in his ninth attempt. He sits in a tie for third place going into the third round, yet unfortunately for the Englishman it is still seven shots behind runaway leader Jordan Spieth.

While Casey would prefer to be closer to Spieth’s lead, he is also delighted to be playing well.

“I am very happy, and I have played some wonderful golf, I really have. I struck the ball better on Friday than I did on Thursday.

“I must admit it has been soft out there and I never thought this golf course would yield a score of 14 under par for 36 holes. I am ecstatic with the way I am playing but I am amazed with what Jordan has done out there. That is brilliant golf.”

Casey’s best result in the Masters to date was on his debut, when his finished in a tie for sixth in 2004, and the 37-year-old is hoping he can top that record at the very least. One advantage is that Casey claims he has nothing to lose this weekend.

“I am on the leaderboard yet I am seven back! I tell you what though, it is really relaxing because there is no pressure,” says an upbeat Casey. “All I have to do is basically aim at flags and try to take the golf course on and push a little bit more. This golf course has always demanded that golfers push for scores; it rewards great golf shots. Good golf shots result in pars, but great golf shots are what you need to make birdies.

“I have been around here enough to know some of these putts. I have a good feel for the greens and I always have. I love putting around these greens, because it requires pure imagination. You have to throw technique out the window and I know my technique is not perfect, but on these greens I relax and I just feel the putts.

“Jordan has stuck a target out there for people to chase and I feel absolutely no pressure because I am only halfway to his score, after having played my best 36 holes in the Masters! I am just going to enjoy it, and if Jordan keeps cracking on ahead then this is his.”

Casey tees off at 2:35 (U.S. Eastern time) in the third round, playing with Phil Mickelson.

Robin Barwick travelled to the Masters with Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz is global sponsor of the 2015 Masters Tournament.