England`s Paul Casey claimed his 15th European Tour title after a closing round of two-under-par 70 handed him a dominant four-shot victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. 
 
Casey has previously lifted trophies in the United Arab Emirates with victories in Abu Dhabi in 2007 and 2009 and he made it a hat-trick in the desert at the Emirates Golf Club with a score of 17-under, four clear of South Africa`s Brandon Stone. 
 
The 43-year-old also boosted his chances to make a fifth Ryder Cup appearance in September, with the Dubai triumph tying him with 2018 European captain Thomas Bjorn and current skipper Padraig Harrington for Tour wins. 
 
"It`s very, very special," said Casey, whose latest Tour triumph comes 20 years after his first. "It`s an unbelievable roster (of winners). That`s so cool, I`ve worked so hard. 
 
"I feel like I`ve regained my youth, I mean that sincerely." 
 
Starting with a one-shot advantage, Casey struck two birdies and two bogeys for a level-par 35 on the front nine to extend his lead to three strokes, with Stone bogeying three of his opening seven holes. 
 
Stone recovered with three quickfire birdies on the back nine but Casey never looked in danger as he cruised to victory that will move him back into the top 20 when the world rankings are updated on Monday. 
 
A 15th European Tour title triumph also takes Casey past the tally of three-times Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy and makes it 350 tournament wins for English players. 
 
Scot Robert MacIntyre finished third at 12-under after carding four consecutive bogeys in a round of 74, while England`s Laurie Canter and Finland`s Kalle Samooja were tied for fourth a further two strokes behind.

England`s Paul Casey claimed his 15th European Tour title after a closing round of two-under-par 70 handed him a dominant four-shot victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

England`s Paul Casey claimed his 15th European Tour title after a closing round of two-under-par 70 handed him a dominant four-shot victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. Casey has previously lifted trophies in the United Arab Emirates with victories in Abu Dhabi in 2007 and 2009 and he made it a hat-trick in the desert at the Emirates Golf Club with a score of 17-under, four clear of South Africa`s Brandon Stone. The 43-year-old also boosted his chances to make a fifth Ryder Cup appearance in September, with the Dubai triumph tying him with 2018 European captain Thomas Bjorn and current skipper Padraig Harrington for Tour wins. "It`s very, very special," said Casey, whose latest Tour triumph comes 20 years after his first. "It`s an unbelievable roster (of winners). That`s so cool, I`ve worked so hard. "I feel like I`ve regained my youth, I mean that sincerely." Starting with a one-shot advantage, Casey struck two birdies and two bogeys for a level-par 35 on the front nine to extend his lead to three strokes, with Stone bogeying three of his opening seven holes. Stone recovered with three quickfire birdies on the back nine but Casey never looked in danger as he cruised to victory that will move him back into the top 20 when the world rankings are updated on Monday. A 15th European Tour title triumph also takes Casey past the tally of three-times Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy and makes it 350 tournament wins for English players. Scot Robert MacIntyre finished third at 12-under after carding four consecutive bogeys in a round of 74, while England`s Laurie Canter and Finland`s Kalle Samooja were tied for fourth a further two strokes behind.

Casey cruises to victory in Dubai for 15th European Tour crown

England`s Paul Casey carded an eight-under-par 64 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday and tied the lowest round of the week to go 15-under overall and take a one-shot lead heading into the final round. 
 
Casey recorded six birdies and capped off his day with an eagle on the par-five 18th in an error-free round to jump up five places to lead Scotland`s Robert MacIntyre. South African Brandon Stone is third, a shot further behind. 
 
"To finish off with an eagle was pretty cool," Casey said. "You can never say (the round was) flawless... It was very controlled, challenging at the same time with a little bit of wind here and there. 
 
"The strong asset I have in this game is the way I drive it, the length. The game has gone more and more towards length and I`m fortunate that I`m still able to lean on that strength and compete out here." 
 
Casey is chasing his 15th European Tour title and though he has won at Abu Dhabi twice, the 43-year-old has never won in Dubai. 
 
"I`ve won just down the road but never in Dubai," he added. "I can see the very impressive list of winners, there`s photos of them behind the 18th green. Iconic trophy, iconic event... But there`s a long way to go." 
 
Laurie Canter and 2017 champion Sergio Garcia are tied for fourth, five shots behind Casey, while Finn Kalle Samooja is sixth at nine under after a 71. 
 
Overnight leader Thomas Detry, who carded two bogey-free rounds, recorded two bogeys and two double bogeys to finish with 74, dropping the Belgian down to seventh alongside Justin Rose and Justin Harding.

England`s Paul Casey carded an eight-under-par 64 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday and tied the lowest round of the week to go 15-under overall and take a one-shot lead heading into the final round.

England`s Paul Casey carded an eight-under-par 64 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday and tied the lowest round of the week to go 15-under overall and take a one-shot lead heading into the final round. Casey recorded six birdies and capped off his day with an eagle on the par-five 18th in an error-free round to jump up five places to lead Scotland`s Robert MacIntyre. South African Brandon Stone is third, a shot further behind. "To finish off with an eagle was pretty cool," Casey said. "You can never say (the round was) flawless... It was very controlled, challenging at the same time with a little bit of wind here and there. "The strong asset I have in this game is the way I drive it, the length. The game has gone more and more towards length and I`m fortunate that I`m still able to lean on that strength and compete out here." Casey is chasing his 15th European Tour title and though he has won at Abu Dhabi twice, the 43-year-old has never won in Dubai. "I`ve won just down the road but never in Dubai," he added. "I can see the very impressive list of winners, there`s photos of them behind the 18th green. Iconic trophy, iconic event... But there`s a long way to go." Laurie Canter and 2017 champion Sergio Garcia are tied for fourth, five shots behind Casey, while Finn Kalle Samooja is sixth at nine under after a 71. Overnight leader Thomas Detry, who carded two bogey-free rounds, recorded two bogeys and two double bogeys to finish with 74, dropping the Belgian down to seventh alongside Justin Rose and Justin Harding.

Casey storms into Dubai Desert Classic lead heading into final round

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