'A lot to play for': Paul Casey makes emotional vow after taking lead at European Masters

Paul Casey will have the crowd in Switzerland behind him on Sunday

It has been a while since Paul Casey was in this spot, holding a 54-hole lead with a chance to add to his trophy case. But after firing a 7-under 63 on Saturday at Crans-Sur-Sierre Golf Club, Casey will enter Sunday at the Omega European Masters with a three-shot lead.

The last time Casey won a tournament of any sort was the 2021 Dubai Desert Classic. A lot has changed in pro golf since the last time Casey hoisted a trophy. The former World No. 3 left for LIV Golf in 2022. As a member of the Bryson DeChambeau-fronted Crushers, Casey won $31.8 million but never won a solo title, losing twice in a playoff. His last major championship appearance came at the 2022 Open Championship, and his last DP World Tour top 10 was at the Porsche Singapore Classic in 2024.

Casey is now 49 and battling wrist and back issues. But he opened this week at the European Masters in Switzerland, where he now lives, with a 67 and backed up with a 64 on Friday. On Saturday, Casey blitzed the field with six birdies on the front nine. He dropped a shot at the 14th but got it back with a circle on 15 before closing with a birdie on 18 to take a three-shot lead over Eugenio Chacarra, Nacho Elvira, Erik van Rooyen and Maximillian Steinlechner.

“The birdie on 18, that was the highlight of the day, with the great Swiss crowd,” Casey said after his round. “I love this place, I really do, so it’s a wonderful day.”

A win Sunday would be Casey’s 16th DP World Tour title, but one of the more meaningful in a career that is reaching the setting sun.

After finishing with a closing birdie, Casey became emotional thinking about what a win on Sunday would mean, especially at a place that is now embedded in his heart.

An emotional post-round interview with Paul Casey, as he reflects on his recent injury and why this feels like playing at home for him ❤️

"The birdie on 18, that was the highlight of the day, with the great Swiss crowd. I love this place, I really do, so it's a wonderful day.…

“This is now home. I now live in Switzerland, so it would mean an awful lot. It feels like a home week for me,” an emotional Casey said.

Then, he made a vow. Win or lose on Sunday in the mountains of his new home, Paul Casey vowed that any winnings that come his way will all be donated to help the victims of the fire at Le Constellation bar that killed 41 people and injured 115 in the early hours of New Year’s Day in the Crans Montana, where the event is being hosted.

“And tomorrow, whatever happens, I hope I win, and I’ll be playing really hard,” Casey said. “But I’ll make sure that all my prize money as well is going to the charity and the victims of the fire here in Crans Montana, so I’ve got a lot to play for tomorrow.”

Casey will be the home favorite tomorrow when he tees it up. He’ll be trying to secure his first win in over five years to show himself that he can still win after more than two decades in pro golf. But he’ll also be trying to win for those who will line the ropes at Crans-Sur-Sierre, hoping his return to the winner’s circle can mean something greater than a trophy and proof that you can still outrun the setting sun even if it’s only for one emotional week at a place you now call home.

Josh Schrock is a writer and reporter for Golf.com. Before joining GOLF, Josh was the Chicago Bears insider for NBC Sports Chicago. He previously covered the 49ers and Warriors for NBC Sports Bay Area. A native Oregonian and UO alum, Josh spends his free time hiking with his wife and dog, thinking of how the Ducks will break his heart again, and trying to become semi-proficient at chipping. A true romantic for golf, Josh will never stop trying to break 90 and never lose faith that Rory McIlroy’s major drought will end (updated: he did it). Josh Schrock can be reached at [email protected].