Golf-Casey wants to take leaf out of Tiger's book

VIRGINIA WATER, England, Oct 10 (Reuters) Britain's Paul Casey plans to take a leaf out of world number one Tiger Woods's book by reducing his tournament commitments next year.

''I need to cut down my schedule,'' the 30-year-old Englishman told reporters today as he prepared to launch the defence of his World Match Play title at Wentworth.

''I found myself a couple of times this year not being able to give 100 per cent to trying to win because I have just been too fatigued. Tiger does a brilliant job of being successful by not playing too many events and that's how I'd like to be.'' Top seed Casey, who takes on 16th-seeded American Jerry Kelly in a 36-hole first-round match tomorrow, is planning to cut back on his European Tour appearances next year in order to spend a little more time in the United States.

''I will play at least 15 events over there,'' said the world number 22. ''I haven't figured out exactly what events I'm playing but I know there are a few in Europe I'll have to juggle around a little bit.

''In July, August I felt very tired. I did something ridiculous like 11 or 12 long-haul flights from January to May.

It was way too many.'' Casey may have been low on energy a couple of months ago but he said he was pleased with his form on the last day of the Seve Trophy two weeks ago and throughout last week's Dunhill Links Championship where he finished tied 10th.

''I've been working extremely hard and hopefully now my golf has clicked,'' he said. ''Jerry will be fun to play tomorrow, I get on very well with him.

''It will be a fierce match but we'll chat on the way round. He is an aggressive player and hopefully that will result in a few fireworks and we will make lots of birdies and eagles.'' Reuters BJR RS1830