Dubai: Justin Rose believes Paul Casey’s decision not to return to the European Tour next year stems from being overlooked by Colin Montgomerie in Europe’s Ryder Cup squad five years ago.
Casey, 38, of England gave up his European Tour membership last year in order to focus on the US PGA Tour. After the European Tour announced this week that players would only have to play five events in order to keep their card instead of 13, the likes of Casey — and other players who are based fulltime in America — were expected to return and find more time for Europe in their schedules.
However, Casey has confirmed he still won’t return to the European Tour, and without a card he isn’t eligible for Europe’s Ryder Cup team despite currently being 24th in golf’s world rankings. The same thing happened in the 2014 Ryder Cup.
“It could be another situation where he’s in the Top 10 in the world and not playing in the Ryder Cup, like he was last time [2014],” said fellow Englishman Rose, 35, on the sidelines of the DP World Tour Championship.
“I think especially with the regulations now, five tournaments [instead of 13], you can find [time for] those if you’re willing for sure. It’s obviously a commitment to play those five but the Ryder Cup is probably a big enough carrot where it warrants that. But he’s a player that’s going to be missed on the team, so, it’s disappointing.
“And I think obviously when Monty didn’t pick him in 2010, it left a bit of a scar and maybe from that point of view, when you put so much into the Ryder Cup and feel like you should be in the team and you get let down like that, maybe that’s harbouring some of his decision making to this day.
“He’ll be missed on the team because he’s a great player. I would have thought he would be a lock-on for the team because he’s a great match-play player, and I can only see him improving his world ranking. He’s playing very solid golf and I expect Paul to have a big year next year.”
