Casey fulfils childhood ambition with PGA triumph

VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Britain's Paul Casey said he achieved a long-held ambition by winning the PGA Championship on Sunday.

"This was a tournament I used to watch growing up as a kid," the new world number three told reporters after a closing 68 gave him a one-shot victory over fellow countryman Ross Fisher at Wentworth. "I have great memories.

"It's quite strange thinking I used to stand there listening to the sound of a ball go off the golf club and whistle past my head and now I'm on the other side of the ropes."

Casey said the main reason he was able to win the European Tour's flagship event was the scholarship he received from the nearby Foxhills Club when he was 11.

"Certainly I would have to say that is the reason I am sitting here," said the 31-year-old Englishman. "My parents couldn't afford to be a member of a club in this area.

"Four of us every year were given free membership and coaching at Foxhills.

"They did it for golf and tennis. I actually went for the tennis scholarship when I was 10 and didn't make it, that was probably a good thing," joked Casey.

WORLD RANKINGS

This year's Abu Dhabi Championship and Houston Open winner said he felt honored to follow fellow Britons Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle by climbing into the top three of the world rankings.

"It is very flattering to be included among those names now ... though I still have a way to go to get even close to what they achieved in the world of golf," said Casey.

"Three of those guys are major champions and Colin won eight order of merits."

Runner-up Ross Fisher preferred to accentuate the positives after his best-of-the-week 64 left him agonizingly close to depriving Casey of the title.

"Obviously I'm disappointed but, hey, it's been a great week for me," said the player from nearby Ascot.

"I played some great golf and holed a few putts. I felt under control and I was hitting all the right shots at the right time.

"That 64 was probably one of the best rounds I've ever shot and walking up 18 hearing that reception (from the crowd), I had to try and control myself a little bit."

Fisher said he would go into his European Open title defense at the London Club with renewed belief.

"This has given me massive confidence and I am looking forward to next week," he said.

"Hopefully, I can put in the same kind of performance and put up a great defense."

(Editing by Ed Osmond. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)