World No 22

If confidence is the key to becoming a champion in any sport, Paul Casey is well on his way to the top. That may sound an understatement when we are talking about the defending champion, who romped to victory at Wentworth last year, but if sheer ability is anything to go by, there is a lot more to come.

Born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in 1977, Casey attended Arizona State University, where he met Peter Kostis, a renowned teacher and a longstanding golf commentator on CBS. The two hit it off immediately and Casey had a stellar amateur career, breaking the record of Phil Mickelson, the American, for the lowest scoring average in the university’s history.

Kostis had faith in Casey from the start. “If, by the end of his career, Paul is not a multiple major champion, I’ll be very disappointed,” he has said on many occasions and although his charge has yet to come close to winning a major, the talent is there.

The 30-year-old has snaffled eight victories worldwide and been a part of the past two victorious Europe Ryder Cup teams, managing a memorable hole in one as he remained unbeaten at the K Club, near Dublin, a little more than a year ago.

After narrowly missing out on winning his first European Order of Merit title last year, when he was pipped by Padraig Harrington, Casey began 2007 in fine style with victory in Abu Dhabi. But since finishing in a tie for tenth place in the US Open in June, his form has tailed off and he missed the British Masters at The Belfry last month to work on his game.

There is nothing like the memory of success to inspire your best golf, though, so when he arrives at the West Course, the surroundings could spark him into life. Twelve months ago, Casey produced a stunning performance, crushing Shaun Micheel, the American, 10 and 8 to win the World Match Play by a record margin.

Having been pushed along by a group of young Englishmen, including Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and David Howell, Casey thrives on competition and when he gets it right he is the kind of player who produces clutches of birdies. He is also one of the best front-runners around - four of his victories have come when he was leading or tied for the lead going into the final round - which is always a massive advantage in matchplay and he is likely to take some beating again.

“Last year the Match Play turned around my season from an average one into a season where I had the opportunity to win the Order of Merit, so I’m excited about this year’s event,” he said.

Factfile

Age: 30 Nationality: English Wins: 8 Major wins: 0 Major record in 2007: Masters: tied-tenth; US Open: tied-tenth; Open: tied-27th; US PGA: tied-40th How he qualified for World Match Play: Defending champion Previous WMP experience: Once (winner last year)