Tuesday, June 27 2006 17:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gleneagles (Scotland): Englishman Paul Casey upset US Open runner-up Colin Montgomerie in front of a partisan Scottish crowd at the 1.4 million pounds (US$2.5 million) Johnnie Walker Championship on Sunday before revealing Monty had inspired him not to give up on the game.



Frustrated Casey feared for his golfing future last season after posting just three top ten finishes on the European Tour and a series of high-level failures.

However, after seeking advice on his game from the likes of Scotland's Montgomerie, he has recovered in style in 2006 to post more top ten finishes than any other player on the European Tour and all but clinch his Ryder Cup spot for Ireland's K-Club in September.

Now, after upsetting local hero Montgomerie at Gleneagles by winning an enthralling tournament with a 16-under par total of 276, Casey admits he owes a level of debt to his rival.

"I got a lot of support last year," revealed Casey.

"Family, friends and a lot of players including Monty and Thomas Bjorn were very supportive which was fantastic," he said.

"They told me it was just a blip and without that support it might not have been so easy to think that way," he said.

"I didn't want to continue finishing second or worse because I am capable of winning golf events and I don't want to be seen as somebody who can't finish them off. That's why it was satisfying to finish off today," he said.

"It was fair to respond by beating Monty on his home patch, wasn't it? We are all competitors after all!" he said.

Casey, who held a one-shot overnight lead from Monty going into the final day, started off well with three straight birdies to put him up to 17 under par.

And while the crowd cheered on Monty, with overhead jets even leaving a trail of smoke in the sky to resemble Scotland's national flag the St Andrew's cross home advantage didn't see him through.

Two bogies on the front night pegged Casey back to 15 under as the chasing pack, comprising of England's Andrew Marshall and Denmark's Soren Hansen, began to see a chink of light.

However, most of the excitement came with the leading pairing of Casey and Monty who appeared to be drawn into a match play scenario where every single hole could be the one to clinch the tournament.

Monty struck a blow to Casey on 11 when he birdied and then followed that up with another at the next hole. Casey, though, match Monty's efforts at the 12th and watched on as the Scot missed chances to level.

The key hole came on 14 as Casey bogeyed and opened up the chance for Monty to claw back the lead with a 15 foot putt. However, Montgomerie missed his effort and Casey could see the end in sight.

His long hitting often left Montgomerie lagging behind on the par-fives and proved crucial to his second success at this event, following victory in 2001.

And as he played a delightful chip to within 20 feet of the par-five 18th, he clenched his fist knowing that a straightforward two-putt would be enough to seal a one-shot win over Hansen and Marshall.

Cool-customer Casey duly obliged, knocking in with his second attempt after getting to within six inches of the hole to take the acclaim and leave Monty dejected for the second time in a week.

When asked if he took any encouragement from his 14-under par showing, Monty curtly replied, 'No,' before getting in a fast car to leave the course.