Lara leads amid Valderrama drama

Ruu_Old

What a time to get stomach craps! He will be gutted (pardon the pun) if it this causes him the Order of Merit, can't tell at this stage. Poor chap, story from rte.ie.

Paul Casey needed medical attention on Thursday as the battle for the European Order of Merit suddenly turned into a drama at Valderrama.
Odds-on favourite for the money-list title entering the season-ending Volvo Masters, Casey struggled to an opening five-over-par 76 after suffering from stomach cramps and 'flu-like symptoms.

The round left him joint 43rd of the 54-strong field and ten adrift of leader Jose Manuel Lara, but still in pole position.
That is because Padraig Harrington, who needs a top-three finish, is only 30th and David Howell and Robert Karlsson, who have to be first or second on Sunday just to have a chance, are 14th and seventh respectively.

All the attention on the eve of the event had been on third-placed Howell, who was '50-50 at best' just to tee off because of his shoulder problem.
But while Howell was delighted with a one-under 70 in the circumstances, Casey was more concerned about his health than his score.
'I just want to get inside,' was the first thing he said after signing his card.
After a visit to a toilet, Casey added: 'It was the worst I've ever felt on a golf course. I was up a few times last night and although it was not too bad starting out I was not feeling good.

'Then it just got worse and worse. My stomach really cramped up on the 10th tee and on the 11th I got an injection to stop the nausea and a pill to solidify the rest.
'It feels like 'flu because my whole body is aching. In any other circumstances I don't think I would have kept playing, but I'm not a fan of pulling out and I think I should keep going as long as I can or a doctor says otherwise.
'I had parma ham and melon and some pasta last night, but I don't know whether it was that. Two caddies were feeling bad this morning as well - and one of them was on a drip.

'A bread roll is all I've had today. I felt close to being sick a couple of times and I was just trying to get in without making a mess.
'I wasn't even thinking about the score. I'm a long way back, but I'll just try to get under par by the end of the week.'
On several occasions he crouched down and leant on his golf bag for support, but he soldiered on and still managed to beat nine others, Ryder Cup team-mate and eight-time European number one Colin Montgomerie among them.

J.R.HARTLEY

christ i hope it's cramps and not ulcers from the stress, Casey ha gone through a lot of hassle the last few years first with the American press getting rowdy about his comments, then with English press saddling him with the new messiah tag.

Ruu_Old

Looks like it was food poisoning, a few players suffering from it. Harrington still in with a shout, in 9th place after the second round on leval par.

Pighead

Poor old Casey will be sweating even more tomorrow watching how the weekend unfolds. His main rivals for the Order of Merit are all still in with a shout of grabbing that all important top 3 position.

Harrington(Level) Howell(+1) and Karlsson(+1) wil still be feeling they're in with a shout with the leader only on -4. Should be an interesting couple of days ahead.

Ruu_Old

I think Harrington got within 2 shots of the lead at one stage, really struggled on the back nine. Its still anyones tournament though. Robert Karlsson (level), David Howell (level) Harrington (+1), Casey (+6). Jeev Singh is the leader on -3.

Ruu_Old

Well looks like Harrington got the Order of Merit in the end. Finished joint second on -1. Good for him but heart breaking for Casey.

Pighead

Yeah well done Padraig. Cracking days golf on Sunday. Very exciting altogether. Harrington looked dead and buried about 5 or 6 times during the final 9 holes.

When he went into the water on the 17th he was 100/1 on Betfair to win the order of merit! Managed to get down in two though and another brilliant up and down on the 18th gave him half a chance. He really needed Sergio to bogey the last hole though which was never gonna happen........or so we thought!

Yeah he was quite lucky alright, what with Caseys dicky tummy and Sergios last hole bogey but fair fcuks to him. The lads a battler and hopefully he can push on from here and win a major.

Well done Padraig!

GreenHorn

Having watched the first three days I somehow managed to miss ALL of the action of Sunday... I only read today that Harrington one-putted the last EIGHT greens. That's phenomenal in such a pressure situation.

Whatever about the bit of luck with Casey being ill and Garcia bogeying the last. If you drain that amount of pressure putts then you deserve the good fortune.