A few years ago he was interviewed in The Sunday Times and commented that 'we properly hate them [the Americans]". It was clearly meant as Ryder Cup banter but all the other press picked it up and blew it into a transatlantic incident.

That's correct,el papp.The facts are that Casey went to University in America,made his home in Scottsdale where he lived with a yank woman,whom he has susequently married.
That furore did make him guarded with the press,and they painted an unflattering picture of him.More facts:

He was a star of the 06 Ryder Cup with 3.5 points out of 4,including a foursomes win with Howell.

His bad rep comes from 2008,when he and Steinson went from 2 up to a 4 and 2 loss in the opening foursomes.Faldo (who Mark Roe described as the 'worst captain of my professional career') then victimised them and left Casey out of the next 2 series.Casey,not surprisingly did not take kindly to this.He signed off with 2 halves.

I hope he enjoys his cycling holiday in Canada.

I'll now go with the following. Send captain's pick Harrington, who Monty has been bigging up, out as the 'lead off' man. Tell him he is to take rookie McIlroy under his wing - when in reality it will be the other way around! If Padraig bombs he might have to be packaged away until the singles .

The 'gun' pairing of Westwood and Kaymer to bring up the rear in both sessions. Molinari's to come in fresh for the foursomes, then McIlroy back with his mate, Donald & Poulter looks a strong pairing as well.

Friday am fourballs:

McIlroy / Harrington

Jimenez / Hanson

Poulter / Fisher

Westwood / Kaymer


Friday pm foursomes:

E.Molinari / F.Molinari

McIlroy / McDowell

Poulter / Donald

Westwood / Kaymer