 Casey finished sixth on his Masters debut in 2004 |
Paul Casey is relieved to be back at Augusta after enduring a nightmare Masters tournament in 2006. The 29-year-old failed to qualify for the Masters 12 months ago but was made to sit through it on TV as punishment by his coach Peter Kostis.
"Peter said that it would make me realise how much I wanted to be there - and he was right," said Casey.
"It acted as an extra spur for me the rest of the season. It was a lesson in motivation. I hated not being there."
The Surrey star finished sixth on his Masters debut in 2004 but the following year he shot 78-77 to miss the cut, an early sign of a five-month slump that also saw him quit the US Open after an opening 85.
 | Augusta is one of the coolest courses I've ever played, but it can be the most penal golf course on the planet |
Casey shrugged off his malaise at the back end of 2005 and, though he had slipped too far down the rankings to qualify for Augusta, he went on to win three times last year, including victory in the �1m World Match Play at Wentworth.
His resurgence earned him a second Ryder Cup cap and he ended the year as runner-up to Padraig Harrington in the European Order of Merit and was voted European Player of the Year.
And Casey goes into this week's Masters as one of Europe's leading chances of ending a major drought that stretches back to Paul Lawrie's 1999 Open championship victory at Carnoustie.
"I think my game sets up very nicely for the Masters - my length off the tee, high ball flight with the irons," he said. "And I know I can shape the ball both ways if I need to. [I have a] good enough short game and I'm a good putter when I get it going.
"It's all right there and I love the place. It's just one of the coolest courses I've ever played.
"It's a fun golf course, but at the same time it can be the most penal golf course on the planet. Great shots are rewarded.
"They can set it up to infuriate the players, but they are still allowing a great shot to be rewarded - it's a beautiful blend."
| We have guys like Donald, Howell and Stenson who have the skill, desire, determination and drive to win a major |
Casey blames Tiger Woods, in part, for the lack of European major success, but says the talent is amassing in the wings and insists a first European victory for 29 tournaments is just around the corner.
"Tiger's made it very tough for guys," said Casey. "He's taken away half the opportunities and the other great players in the world have taken away the other half.
"I do think we have a bunch of guys coming through now. Not that the others have disappeared by any means.
"[Thomas] Bjorn, [Darren] Clarke, Harrington, those sort of players, especially Bjorn (second three times in majors) have come very close and they are very hungry for it and have the ability.
"But now we have guys like [Luke] Donald and [David] Howell and [Henrik] Stenson who not only have the skill, but they also have the desire, determination and drive and are accepting of everything that will go with that once they win.
"So hopefully they can hurry up - somebody can hurry up - and win one.
"I need to keep working and I think I can get close. It's my ultimate goal to win a major and hopefully it will be as soon as possible. And when somebody does, the floodgates will open."
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Interview: Britain's Paul Casey