LIV Golf’s Paul Casey recalls ‘humbling’ experience from 2020 Tokyo Olympics, wishes Tommy Fleetwood ‘good luck’
LIV Golf's English star Paul Casey has sent his wishes to his fellow countryman Tommy Fleetwood ahead of the final round of the 2024 Olympics. In his message, he also recalled his humbling experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Paul Casey is a three-time PGA Tour winner who now plays on the LIV Golf circuit and is part of the Crushers GC. He also represented Great Britain in the 2020 Olympics, where he missed out on the bronze medal after falling short in the seven-man playoff.
On Sunday, August 4, Casey posted a heartfelt note on Instagram, sharing his experience at the Tokyo Olympics.
"Very few things have raised the hairs on the back of my neck more than wearing national colours and hearing a national anthem. It’s a responsibility. It’s humbling. Yet incredibly exciting and sometimes these occasions transcend," he wrote.
Paul Casey further wrote about the history of golf at the Olympics, which featured twice in the 20th century before being reintroduced in 2016. He shared how he watched the Olympics during his childhood and looked up to great British athletes, whom he considered heroes.
"I loved watching the best battle it out," he continued. The joy, the anguish and not least humanity coming together in a celebration of athletic endeavour. I wanted to be a part of that."
Recalling the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he called it a dream come true for him. He wrote about his experiences at the Olympic Village alongside tennis legend Novak Djokovic and world-renowned marathon runners. He added:
"Being in the presence of the world’s greatest athletes from every corner of the world was gripping, inspiring and humbling all in one. I was fully invested in the games along with my caddie John McLaren. So too was Tommy Fleetwood and his caddie Ian Finnis a long with everyone in our support team."
Pauls Casey further wrote how his experience was beyond imagination despite him losing the bronze in the playoff.
"The result brought me to tears," he wrote. "It hurt. I felt like I let Team GB down. I took solace knowing I gave my all that week to represent Great Britain the best I could. The friends I made and the amazing Team GB family made sure that week will live with me forever."
He then wrote about Tommy Fleetwood, stating that he couldn't have picked a better person to share the Olympics with. He concluded the note by wishing Fleetwood good luck ahead of the final round of the 2024 Olympics as the latter is in contention for the gold medal.
"Tomorrow Tommy has a chance to win a medal and I hope he wins gold. Good luck Tommy. #TeamGB," he concluded.
How did Paul Casey perform at the Tokyo Olympics 2020?
Paul Casey had a great performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but he fell marginally short of the bronze medal. He carded 67, 68, and 66 in the first three rounds to aggregate at 12-under. At this point, he was in a two-way tie for third and just two shots behind the leader, Xander Schauffele.
In the final round, Casey shot 68 and tied for third alongside Hideki Matsuyama, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Sebastián Muñoz, Mito Pereira, and C.T. Pan. He was eliminated on the first playoff hole, thus narrowly missing the bronze medal. Eventually, Pan won the bronze after the fourth playoff hole.