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Casey celebrates.
Carton House

Paul Casey wins the Irish Open with eagle putt on the 18th

The Englishman ended a two-year dry spell by carding a 66 on the final round this afternoon.

Updated 19.20

ENGLAND’S PAUL CASEY sensationally eagled the last hole to end a two-year victory drought and capture the Irish Open at Carton House, Maynooth, on Sunday.

The 35-year-old came from four shots behind at the start of the final round to win by three shots with a six-under-par score of 66 for a 14-under par total.

It is his first win since winning the 2011 season-opening Volvo Champions event in Bahrain.

England’s Robert Rock (71) birdied the closing two holes to share runner-up spot with Joost Luiten of the Netherlands – it was the second time in four years the Englishman had filled that position in the event.

Shane Lowry was best of the Irish – finishing on 8-under-par with Jose Maria Olazabal after a final round of 69, while Peter Lawrie was one shot back.

“I’m absolutely thrilled as I always wanted a grandstand finish and I got one,” said Casey in relation to his final shot.

“I’ve never holed a putt like that to win a tournament. I feel over the moon.

“Psychologically, this win is huge. It almost feels like a first win again, that kind of feeling.

“I have struggled with the confidence, and this is a huge relief, knowing that I’m moving in the right direction; that I’ve got great golf left in me for another ten plus years.

“This is a massive confidence boost.

“I can start thinking now of getting myself back in the top-50 on the rankings, the Ryder Cup next year and the goal also is still getting back on the PGA Tour.

And this win makes my season easier in terms of planning. I was chasing a little bit the last couple of months trying to play everything, because I know I was playing quite well, and it just needed something to click.”

Casey’s win pushed him up from 81st to 27th on the Race to Dubai.

However he will pass up next week’s French Open and the hope of securing one of the five places off the money list into next month’s British Open.

Instead Casey will now have to win the July 11th starting Scottish Open to qualify and secure the last place into the following week’s Open Championship at Muirfield.

- © AFP, 2013

Watch Casey’s eagle putt here

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