KEY POINTS:
Golfer Paul Casey could well be the Englishman best placed to dent Australian sporting pride on home soil this week. The world golf No 15 is the highest-ranked player in the field for the A$1.5 million ($1.75 million) Masters at Huntingdale in Melbourne, which is being co-sanctioned by the European Tour for the first time.
Casey, 29, finished a creditable fifth at Huntingdale last year and has since rocketed back up the world rankings from outside the top 50.
His stellar 2006 included a starring role in Europe's Ryder Cup demolition of the United States, victories in the World Matchplay Championship, the China Open and the Johnnie Walker Championship and a narrow second placing in the European Order of Merit behind Padraig Harrington.
- AAP
