Casey set for US Open challenge
US OPEN, Bethpage Black
Date: 18-21 June (first tee off at 1200 BST on Thursday)
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra (Saturday 2100 BST), live on BBC Radio 5 Live (Sun 2100 BST). Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and regular updates on BBC Radio 5 Live. Live on Sky Sports.
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Paul Casey will spearhead the British challenge when the US Open begins on Thursday, as defending champion Tiger Woods aims for a 15th major title.
World number three Casey would be the first Englishman to win the title since Tony Jacklin in Hazeltine in 1970.
"It would be fairly significant," said Casey ahead of the start of golf's second major at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose are also among the competitors.
The first players go out at 1200 BST, with Woods teeing off at 1306 and Casey starting from the 10th hole at 1255.
Casey said he was determined to enjoy success at the US Open, labelling the tournament one of his favourites in the golfing calendar.
"The Open Championship is obviously the one that's closest to my heart because it's my home major, my home championship.
"I think the US Open, the only reason it would be second is because the Open would be my home championship. It's the only reason I can give you.
"I think the Masters has always been the one which I felt I had the best opportunity to win. This would be the one that maybe I've struggled at the most.
"So as a personal sort of victory, I think it would be almost seen as a greater achievement because I haven't played particularly well at the Open Championship, either.
"And to do something that hasn't been achieved in 39 years would be massive. So I would love to try and achieve that."
As well as Casey and Rose, Englishmen Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher and Oliver Wilson are taking part.
Irishman Padraig Harrington and Northern Ireland's McIlroy are also in the 155-strong field and the pair are two golfers in very different form.
McIlroy is currently enjoying a fine season on the European Tour, having broken into the world's top 20 as well as claiming a maiden victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.
 | I have to be patient and just do the right things over and over and let it come back itself Padraig Harrington |
In contrast, Open and US PGA champion Harrington is struggling with his form but is determined not to put himself under pressure at Bethpage Black.
"In some ways I would say I'm obviously not playing my very best golf at the moment," he said.
"I have to be patient and just do the right things over and over and let it come back itself.
"There's no forcing it at this point in time."
But Woods, who will defend his title playing with Harrington and Masters champion Angel Cabrera for the first two rounds, said patience was the key element for Harrington, who has worked on remodelling his swing.
"Sometimes you have to take a step or two back before you can make a giant leap forward," he said.
"And that's the hard part, sticking through those periods. And even though you're making those changes, finding a way to post a number or shoot a score and win a golf tournament, that becomes a lot more difficult."
Woods triumphed last year despite a knee injury that later required surgery.
The world number one is trying to match Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones and Willie Anderson as the only four-time US Open champions and move closer to his ultimate goal, the all-time record 18 majors won by Nicklaus.
 Woods is the world number one and defending US Open champion |
And Harrington sees the American as favourite ahead of Thursday's opening round.
"You would think he is the favourite. It would be very foolish for any of the other 155 players to start worrying about somebody else."
Woods himself goes into the tournament having won the Memorial tournament in Ohio two weeks ago.
He says it has given him the confidence he needs to begin his bid for a 15th major success.
"It's always nice to play well going into a major championship, no doubt," said Woods.
"To get a win always adds to the confidence, and no matter how you win, if you can win this way, ball-striking, hitting it that well, especially going into a US Open, it always makes you feel pretty good."
