Casey condemns Harrington to another second place
England’s Paul Casey condemned Padraig Harrington to the 19th runners-up finish of his career today by winning the last-ever Benson and Hedges International Open.
The 25-year-old denied Harrington a glorious return to The Belfry, scene of last September’s Ryder Cup victory, with a four-stroke triumph.
Casey, joint leader with Harrington and New Zealander Stephen Scahill overnight, captured the £183,330 first prize thanks to a closing 71 in the blustery conditions for an 11 under par total of 277.
Harrington still took away £122,220 but he dearly wanted to win this one – not only because it was the final B&H event before a government ban on tobacco sponsorship comes into force, and not only because it would give him almost as many good memories of The Belfry as Sam Torrance.
There was also the matter of three years ago.
He led by five then with a round to go, but was disqualified without hitting another shot after the chance discovery that he had forgotten to sign his first round scorecard.
Scahill finished joint third with Dutchman Rolf Muntz and Scot Paul Lawrie, who holed-in-one with a seven-iron at the seventh.
Swede Richard Johnson broke the course record earlier with a 64.
