Paul Casey fired a seven-under-par 63 on Saturday at Crans-Sur-Sierre Golf Club to secure a three-shot lead heading into the final round of the Omega European Masters. The 49-year-old Englishman vowed to donate all of his prize money to victims of a tragic New Year’s Day bar fire in Crans-Montana.
It has been quite a stretch since Paul Casey last held a 54-hole lead with a trophy on the line. The former World No. 3, who joined LIV Golf in 2022 and plays as a member of the Bryson DeChambeau-fronted Crushers, captured $31.8 million during his time on that circuit but never managed to secure a solo title, finishing as a runner-up twice in playoffs. His last victory of any kind came back at the 2021 Dubai Desert Classic, and his most recent major championship appearance arrived at the 2022 Open Championship. His last DP World Tour top 10 was at the Porsche Singapore Classic in 2024.
Yet out in the Swiss Alps on Saturday, Casey blitzed the field with six birdies on the front nine to reach the turn in 29. After opening with two pars, Casey went on to birdie six of the next seven holes. His scoring stalled on the back nine as he dropped a shot at the 14th and got it back with a circle on 15 before closing with a birdie on 18, ultimately signing for a stellar 63 to reach 16 under par for the week. The round gives him a three-shot cushion over a four-way tie for second place featuring Eugenio Chacarra, Nacho Elvira, Erik van Rooyen, and Maximilian Steinlechner, all at 13 under par.
The tournament holds a profoundly personal significance for Casey, who now lives in Switzerland and improved his chances of bettering his best result here when finishing third 21 years ago. When asked about his round, the 49-year-old reflected on what it means to contend in what has effectively become his backyard, highlighting the enthusiastic gallery that cheered him home.
Photo: skysports.com
“There was so much (to enjoy), maybe saving some of them pars coming in late, but birdie on 18 though, that was the highlight of the day with the great Swiss crowd. I love this place, I really do, so it’s a wonderful day,”
Photo: Golf Channel
Paul Casey
Following his round, Casey made an emotional pledge regarding the tournament’s financial stakes. The event is hosted in Crans-Montana, the same region shaken by a devastating fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss Alpine resort in the early hours of New Year’s Day. That blaze killed 41 people and injured 115 others. With the tournament offering a $3.75-million total purse, where the champion collects $637,500, Casey stated that every penny of his earnings will go toward the Fondation Beloved charity, which helps those affected by the tragedy.
“This is now home. I now live in Switzerland, so it would mean an awful lot. It feels like a home week for me. And tomorrow, whatever happens, and I hope I win, and I’ll be playing really hard, but I’ll make sure that all my prize money is going to the charity and the victims of the fire here in Crans-Montana. So I’ve got a lot to play for tomorrow.”
Paul Casey
Chasing History at Crans-sur-Sierre
Casey is now 49 and battling wrist and back issues. But he opened this week at the European Masters in Switzerland with a 67 and backed up with a 64 on Friday before his Saturday 63.
While Casey commands the top of the leaderboard at 16 under par, the chasing pack remains tightly clustered. Steinlechner and Van Rooyen both surged into a tie for second alongside Chacarra and Elvira at 13 under par. Further down the Omega European Masters leaderboard, Angel Ayora sits alone at 12 under par, while Francesco Laporta, Todd Clements, and Keita Nakajima share seventh place at 11 under. Meanwhile, former leader Thriston Lawrence dropped back into a massive tie for tenth place at 10 under par alongside notable names such as Bernd Wiesberger, Danny Willett, Matt Wallace, Patrick Reed, Harry Hall, and David Puig.
As Sunday’s final round approaches, Casey looks to add to his 15 DP World Tour titles and secure his first victory in over five years. Whether he hoists the trophy or simply finishes his week in the mountains, his performance and his pledge to the Fondation Beloved have already defined the week.
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