Two weeks after becoming a father, Paul Casey shot a stunning final round of 66 to complete an imperious weekend and clinch a 13th victory on the European Tour at the KLM Open in Zandvoort.
The 37-year-old, former world number three, surged through the field on Saturday courtesy of a course-record equalling 62, which left him four shots adrift of 23-year-old Frenchman, Romain Wattel.
The Englishman took control of the tournament following a 32 on the front, which put him one clear of the field – and he was not caught as he secured a win that places him just one adrift of the career win tallies of Darren Clarke, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington and Greg Norman.
Wattel succumbed to a final round of 74, while Casey birdied the second, third, fifth and seventh to move into pole positon at the summit of the leaderboard. In the end, compatriot Simon Dyson would be the closest challenger, but his final round of 65 came just a little bit too late to claim the title.
A comfortable par on the last completed a tremendous weekend, and a first win as a father, following the birth of his son on the 1st of September. And the three-time Ryder Cup player was certainly delighted.
“I’m a bit emotional to be honest,” said Casey. “It was very care free for three and a half days, because if I played well or poorly I was going to go home to see my baby, and then I got to the last three holes and I thought I really want this - not that he is old enough to understand.”
“This tournament has been going for more than 90 years and looking at the names on the trophy, you have Seve, Langer, and Payne Stewart. It’s got some great names so to add my name to that is a great honour.
“Just having my first child was a great distraction. I had no expectations coming into the week and I did very little practice, although I’ve played good golf. Even flying in Wednesday morning to spend as much time at home as possible, so I was apprehensive as to how I was going to play. I couldn’t have dreamed it would turn out this way. It’s not that I wasn’t trying my hardest on the course, but you just don’t know how it will turn out.
“I’m absolutely over the moon.”
Andy Sullivan may soon be literally over the win, as his hole in one on the 15th brought with it a quite unique prize. Typically, cars are the reward for a player making an ace, but the 28-year-old has now secured a trip to space – on a Lynx Mark 1 spacecraft.
“It was such a rollercoaster out there today and this week so to top it off by going to space is great,” said the Nuneaton born star. “I was on the comeback after a few bad holes and the caddie pulled out a nine iron and said try to cut it in there, luckily it came off and it went in.
“I’m not sure if I’ll go, I’ll check with the missus. I’m not great with heights or flying! I might have to pluck up some coverage. I don’t think spaceman is a new nickname for me.
“My daughter will think I’m the best dad in the world – a professional golfer and an astronaut, she’s got the best dad in the world! I’m going to have to pluck up some serious courage, but it is a once in a lifetime experience, so I’m going to have to do it.
“My caddie just shout to me, ‘we’re going to space’. I was in hysterics. It’s just an unreal experience. I didn’t play great through the round and then I hit a shot like that. I had two twos on there, but not been close to it. So I wasn’t really even thinking about it.
“It’s been such a rollercoaster of a day. I just strapped myself in and went for the ride. Overall it’s been a great week and I’ve really enjoyed myself here at the KLM Open.”
Andy Sullivan leaves Kennemer with a lifetime’s experience on the horizon, while Paul Casey toasts one of the greatest moments of his life with yet another European Tour victory.