PAUL CASEY'S disappointment at just missing out on the European Order of Merit title was eased yesterday when he was named the Tour's Golfer of the Year.
After suffering an horrific slump in 2005 - he went four months without making a single cut - Casey came back to win three times in the 2006 season, including the £1million first prize at the HSBC World Match Play Championship, and played a starring role in the Ryder Cup victory.
Team-mate Padraig Harrington was the player to pip him to the order of merit crown, but the Dubliner won only once during the year and contributed just half a point to the success over the Americans.
Casey, who holed in one during the foursomes and beat current world number two Jim Furyk in the singles, was on course to finish as the circuit's number one until he fell ill at the season-ending Volvo Masters.
"It is a tremendous honour to be named European Tour Golfer of the Year," he said. "To win three times during the 2006 season and play a part in Europe's record-breaking third successive Ryder Cup victory was extremely satisfying."
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