Paul Casey, visibly moved, announced that he intends to give all of his prize earnings to those affected by the tragic bar fire in Crans-Montana after he surged to the top of the leaderboard at the DP World Tour's Omega European Masters on Saturday. The English golfer posted an impressive eight birdies, including a dramatic finish birdie on the 18th hole, to finish his third round at seven under par.
That score gave him a three‑stroke advantage over a quartet of challengers: Austria's Maximilian Steinlechner, South Africa's Erik van Rooij, and the Spanish pair Nacho Elvira and Eugenio Chacarra. The tournament is being contested at Crans‑sur‑Sierre Golf Club, located in the Swiss region that was scarred by a devastating bar fire on New Year’s Day. The blaze claimed 41 lives and left 115 people injured, casting a somber shadow over the event.
Casey, who now resides in Switzerland, became emotional when asked what a victory on Sunday would mean to him. "I love this place. I really do, so it was a wonderful day," he said, his voice trembling.
"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." Casey's 63 on Saturday follows a 64 on Friday and a 67 on Thursday, marking a remarkable three‑day stretch for the former world No. 3 who has not claimed a DP World Tour title in more than five years. He left the LIV Golf circuit in 2022 and has been hunting for a return to the winner’s circle ever since.
On Saturday, he recorded six birdies on the front nine, stumbled only with a bogey on the 14th, and then rebounded with birdies on the 15th and the 18th to extend his lead to three strokes. Earlier this season, Casey faced a serious setback when a wrist injury forced him to withdraw from a LIV event in Korea. The injury raised concerns that his season might be over, but he has managed to stay competitive despite not being at 100 percent fitness.
He believes his limited schedule this year has actually helped him stay fresh and ready for a final‑round charge on Sunday. "I'm 49 now, so I'm not sure how good everything is.
There are ailments for sure. Yes, there was a wrist problem earlier in the year, but I bounced back from that and actually played some really good golf when we went to New York a few weeks after. I thought that could have been the season. There's always stuff.
I think everybody out here’s got stuff going on. But I honestly feel really good and I feel somewhat fresh, probably because I haven't played that much golf as I missed a bit. It's obviously good enough to shoot some good scores, so I'm happy with it," Casey explained. The field behind Casey is tightly packed.
Van Rooyen and Steinlechner both matched his seven‑under round, joining Elvira and Chacarra three shots back. Another Spaniard, Angel Ayora, sits at twelve under, just one stroke further back.
England's Todd Clements, at eleven under, shares seventh place with Francesco Laporta and Keita Nakajima. A larger group of fourteen players sit at ten under, including fellow Englishmen Danny Willett, Matt Wallace, and Harry Hall, as well as former LIV player Patrick Reed, who returned to the DP World Tour earlier this year. Friday’s leader, Thirston Lawrence, fell back into that group after a disappointing three‑over round on Saturday. The final round will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from 11 a.m.
on Sunday, with streaming options available via NOW for viewers who prefer an ad‑free experience. Golf enthusiasts can also take advantage of special offers to book tee times at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, using the online search tool to find a venue by course name, city, or postal code. Casey's pledge adds an emotional layer to what could become a career‑defining victory.
By committing his winnings to the victims of the Crans‑Montana fire, he not only underscores his personal connection to the region but also highlights the broader role that professional athletes can play in supporting communities in crisis. Whether he secures the title on Sunday or not, his gesture will resonate long after the final putt drops, reminding fans and fellow players alike that sport can be a powerful vehicle for compassion and charitable action.