Casey is Euro Golfer of the Year

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LONDON, England -- Britain's Paul Casey was named the 2006 European Tour Golfer of the Year on Tuesday after winning three tournaments and playing a key role in Europe's Ryder Cup victory over the United States.

The 29-year-old Englishman also came within 35,252 euros ($46,690) of capturing the Order of Merit title for the first time but lost out narrowly to Ireland's Padraig Harrington.

Casey won the China Open, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and picked up one million pounds ($1.96 million) after capturing the World Match Play Championship.

The following week Casey was undefeated in four Ryder Cup matches at the The K Club, winning twice and halving twice as Europe matched their 18-1/2 to 9-1/2 victory margin of 2004, when Casey also played a leading role as a rookie.

Casey became the first player in Ryder Cup history to close out a match with a hole in one when his 213 yard four iron secured a 5 & 4 win over Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson when he played with David Howell in the foursomes.

In the season-ending Volvo Masters, Casey had a virus that threatened his participation at Valderrama but he bravely played on before missing out on the Order of Merit title to Harrington, who earned 2,489,336 euros to Casey's 2,454,084.

"It is a tremendous honor to be named European Tour Golfer of the Year," Casey was quoted as saying on the European Tour's official Web site.

But he added he was "bitterly disappointed" to miss out on the Harry Vardon Trophy awarded to the Order of Merit winner.

"The race for the number one position with Padraig, David Howell and Robert Karlsson was truly exceptional and fired the imagination of the golfing public in Europe."

"It was a tremendous tussle with my three Ryder Cup team-mates and their determination to succeed also helped spur me on at the end of the season."

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