Casey edges McGinley for title

Paul Casey claimed his fourth European Tour title with a play-off win over Paul McGinley at the TCL Classic here yesterday, but only after missing two chances to beat the Irishman.

Casey birdied a 25-foot putt on the second hole of the sudden-death contest to edge out McGinley after both had finished on 22 under par. But the 27-year-old's victory only came after he had left a putt of 15 feet just short on the 18th and, on the first play-off hole, slipped a 12-foot putt past the left edge of the cup.

On their return to the par-four 18th for the second play-off hole, however, Casey might have won with par as McGinley was 12 feet away in three after finding sand with his drive and his approach. As it was, the Englishman swept home from the back of the green to claim a win which takes him to 20th of the European Order of Merit, one spot behind McGinley.

There was disappointment for Colin Montgomerie, who had shared the lead with Casey on Saturday but had to settle for sixth, two shots off the pace.

The Scot, in a hunt for ranking points before the Masters, birdied four out of five around the turn but could only manage seven pars the rest of the way.

* The American Kenny Perry carried a three-shot lead over Fiji's Vijay Singh into the final round of the Bay Hill Invitational in Toronto yesterday. Tiger Woods and Ernie Els faded out of contention, nine and 11 shots respectively off the lead.