Casey keen on Tiger chance

Casey: fancies Tiger challenge

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Paul Casey admits he would relish the chance to partner Tiger Woods as and when the world number one makes his comeback to golf.

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There has been mounting speculation in recent days that Woods could end his self-imposed exile from the game before the end of the month with the American reportedly working on his game at the practice range this week.

Woods has been out of the game since allegations about his private life emerged following a car crash in November.

It has been suggested that he could return at either the Tavistock Cup of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill later in the month and Casey says he would like to be right up close when it happens.

"I've got to say yes," Casey responded when asked if he fancied being a playing partner for Woods' return.

"It could be interesting, though. The sort of scrutiny will be on a level that's probably something we've never witnessed before.

"I've always enjoyed playing with the best players in the world, and especially the number one player in the world.

"There's always a lot of extra sort of distraction out there, but this time around it could be even more so."

Doral challenge

However, for the time being Woods is still lying low and will not be present for this week's CA Championship at Doral - the second World Golf Championship event of the season.

Casey is hoping to take further advantage of Woods' absence and the Englishman will start as one of the favourites over Doral's infamous Blue Monster lay-out this week.

A fine start to the season has seen the 32-year-old finish runner-up to compatriot Ian Poulter at the WGC-Accenture Match Play and then end up fourth at the Honda Classic on Sunday.

Now at number six in the world, with Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood just above him, Casey acknowledges that the friendly rivalry with his fellow Englishmen is serving to make all three of them strive for greater and greater heights.

"I don't really have an answer for why there are so many Englishmen in the top 10 or top 100, but I'm quite enjoying it," he continued.

"It's a bit of a race right now. Each one of us wants to win a major and who's going to be the first guy to do it?

"It's a cosy feeling with many friends of mine up in the world rankings, but it shouldn't be confused with complacency or a relaxed sort of atmosphere.

"Everyone is pushing each other very, very hard. When Westy is winning the Race to Dubai we all congratulate him, but we want to win it this year and when Poulter wins the Match Play we want to be the next Englishman to win a PGA Tour event.

"Potential is one thing, but these guys are starting to fulfil it and show everybody we have a lot of great players."