Casey leads at Wales Open
Paul Casey can virtually seal his place in the Ryder Cup on the last day of the Celtic Manor Wales Open.
Casey will take a three-shot lead into the final round after a third-round 65 gave him a 19-under-par total of 197 at Wentwood Hills.
Peter Lawrie is best of the Irish players, tied for seventh place on 11-under-par after shooting a round of 70 today.
Overnight leader Simon Khan, who threatened the first-ever sub-60 round on the European Tour on his way to a course-record 61 on Friday, is the nearest challenger on 16 under after a 70, with South African James Kingston two shots further back.
Colin Montgomerie birdied the 18th to record a 69 and claim a share of fourth place with English duo Phil Golding (67) and John Bickerton (63) on 12 under.
Casey currently lies in the 10th and final automatic qualifying position for Bernhard Langer’s European team which will defend the trophy at Oakland Hills in September.
But victory on Sunday evening and the first prize of €375,000 would take him to sixth in the table with more than one million points, and almost guarantee him a debut in the biennial contest.
