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ACE golfer Paul Casey is hoping to book his lucky room at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa to ensure victory in the celebrity pro-am tournament to be staged at the Royal Golf Club this month.
The 34-year-old had a devilish slice of good fortune on his side when he secured his first tournament win in two years at the new Volvo Golf Champions event in the kingdom last January.
Just days before, he won a pre-tournament pro-am – the first such win of his professional career – and picked up a £25,000 car from the sponsors.
Casey had been staying in room 666 at the players’ hotel, which rivals have reminded him is, according to some religions, Satan’s number and an omen of bad luck. However, in many Asian cultures it is a number which shows things are going smoothly.
Casey admitted at the time he was getting ‘a lot of stick’ from his rivals because the hotel put him in 666. But now he hopes he’ll be lucky to get the room again.
'I am quite superstitious so I would definitely love to be in room 666 after my success in Bahrain last time,' he said. 'Apparently some people believe it is a very lucky number and it certainly was for me.
'My memories of my last visit to Bahrain are all great ones. It was brilliant to win here at the Volvo Golf Champions in 2011 so I am really looking forward to being back on the course at the Royal Golf Club again.
'The course was in fantastic condition and everyone at the club did a wonderful job in hosting us and I can’t wait to see everyone again.
'It was amazing to win the car – really special to win both the car and the whole tournament – it was the perfect week.'
Casey has been struggling with a niggling injury in recent months but is now fully fit and raring to get his season started and will be joining some of the world’s top golfers and most famous sporting celebrities in a unique tournament format staged at the challenging Riffa Views course.
IMG Worldwide and the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) are organising the weekend of competitive golf and special events, taking place from April 13-14.
Course designer Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Bjorn, the most successful Danish golfer to have played the game having won 13 tournaments worldwide on the European Tour, are also among the pros already confirmed to face-off over 18 holes.
Each will play in teams of two alongside former tennis superstar Tim Henman, American football icon Joe Montana and football legends Gianluca Vialli and Ruud Gullit.
'Because of my shoulder injury at Christmas time, my season is only just beginning,î explained Casey, who picked up the BD143,000 Volvo Golf Champions first-prize and trophy with the very last shot of the competition, outduelling his playing partner, Swede Peter Hanson, by a single stroke in what was a nail-biting finish.
'Luckily I didn’t have to miss too many tournaments and am now back playing again,î he added. ìI realise there is a lot of hard work ahead of me but I am really excited to be playing golf again.
'Sitting on the couch injured during the first few months of the season has really lit a fire under me.
'All of the Europeans are playing well at the moment – Donald, McIlroy, Rose, Westwood and Kaymer are all obviously playing fantastic golf – so I am excited to be back out competing with them again.
'I feel nothing but enthusiasm for the season ahead and am excited to see what will happen.'
The pro-celebrity tournament takes place just a week prior to the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and helps prove that the kingdom is back in business on the sporting front after the unrest.
Casey said: ìYes, since the Volvo Golf Champions last year, things have been tough in Bahrain but this tournament will be a great way to show that things are returning to normal and Bahrain is still a fantastic sporting destination.
'Hopefully the news that so many golfers and celebrities are looking forward to coming to Bahrain will give the golf fans a boost.'
His playing commitments, however, mean he cannot stay in the kingdom for the F1 race weekend.
Casey explained: ìUnfortunately, my schedule doesn’t allow for me to stay on in Bahrain for the F1 which isn’t great as I’m a huge fan!
'I am actually going on to China to play in the Volvo China Open – hopefully I will have the same success in China as I did in Bahrain last year!'
He will be keeping a close eye on the race and tips McLaren’s Jenson Button to make an impression again on the Sakhir circuit.
'I think I’ll pick Jenson Button – he is an unbelievable driver so I think he has yet another great season ahead of him,' said Casey. 'Hopefully I’ll be able to fit in attending a race before the end of the year and am just sorry it won’t be the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this year as I am sure it will be fantastic.'
The proposed second Volvo Golf Champions tournament which was due to open the European Tour this January at the Royal Golf Club was moved to a venue in South Africa. But organisers are said to be ‘seriously considering’ bringing it back to Bahrain for 2013 if the Grand Prix is successfully staged and next weekend’s golfing event receives a positive response.
