Paul Casey, visibly moved, announced that he will give every cent of his prize money to those affected by the tragic bar fire in Crans-Montana after he surged into the top spot at the DP World Tour's Omega European Masters on Saturday. The English golfer carded an impressive eight birdies, including a crowd‑pleasing finish on the 18th hole, to post a seven‑under‑par 63 in the third round.
That round vaulted him three strokes clear of a tightly packed group that featured Austria's Maximilian Steinlechner, South Africa's Erik van Rooij, and Spain's Nacho Elvira and Eugenio Chacarra. The tournament is being contested at the Crans‑sur‑Sierre Golf Club, situated in the Swiss region that was shaken 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 has made Switzerland his home, became emotional when asked what a potential victory on Sunday would mean to him.
"I love this place, I really do," Casey said, his voice cracking slightly. "This is now my home. I live here in Switzerland, so winning would mean an awful lot. It feels like a home‑week for me.
Whatever happens tomorrow, I hope I win and I will play my hardest, but I promise that every penny of my prize money will go to the charity supporting the fire victims in Crans‑Montana. So I have a lot more than a trophy to play for tomorrow." His 63 on Saturday followed a 64 on Friday and a 67 on Thursday, marking a remarkable three‑day stretch for the former world No.
3 who has not captured a DP World Tour title in five and a half years, a drought that began after his move to LIV Golf in 2022. On the front nine of Saturday's round Casey made six birdies, his only slip being a bogey on the 14th hole. He then recovered with birdies on the 15th and the decisive 18th, extending his lead to three strokes. Earlier this year Casey faced a serious setback when a wrist injury forced him to withdraw from a LIV event in Korea, leading him to fear that his season might be over.
Despite not being at 100 percent fitness, he believes his limited schedule this year has kept him relatively fresh and ready to contend for the title on Sunday. "I'm 49 now, so I know I have to manage my body carefully. There are certainly aches and pains," he explained. "The wrist issue earlier in the year was a concern, but I bounced back and played some very good golf when we were in New York a few weeks later.
I thought that could have been the end of the season, but there’s always something that comes up. Everyone here has their own challenges.
Honestly, I feel good and a bit fresh, probably because I haven't been playing as much as I normally would. It's enough to post good scores, and I'm happy with that." The field behind Casey is tightly packed. Van Rooyen and Steinlechner both matched his seven‑under‑par round, joining Elvira and Chacarra three shots back.
Another Spaniard, Angel Ayora, sits at twelve under, a single stroke further back. England's Todd Clements (‑11) shares seventh place with Francesco Laporta and Keita Nakajima, while a sizable group of fourteen players sit at ten under, including England's Danny Willett, Matt Wallace, Harry Hall, and former LIV player Patrick Reed, who returned to the DP World Tour earlier this year. Friday's leader, Thriston 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, and viewers can also stream the action through NOW without a contract.
For those looking to experience the course themselves, bookings are available at more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland via the provided search tool. Casey's pledge adds a poignant narrative to the tournament, turning a personal quest for redemption into a charitable mission that honors the memory of those lost in the Crans‑Montana fire. His emotional connection to the area, combined with his determination to compete at the highest level despite age and injury, creates a compelling storyline that extends beyond the fairways. Whether he captures the title or not, his commitment to channel his earnings to the victims' families underscores the profound impact sport can have when athletes use their platforms for humanitarian causes.
The Sunday showdown promises not only high‑stakes golf but also a powerful reminder of community resilience and the spirit of giving back.