Casey in cruise control

Paul Casey never made winning 1 million pounds look so easy.

The Englishman completed a dominating week in the World Match Play Championship in Virginia Water, England, yesterday by winning the last five holes for a 10-and-8 victory over Shaun Micheel, the largest margin in the championship match in the 43-year history of this tournament.

Along with claiming the richest prize of any official golf tournament in the world -- about $1.87 million -- the Ryder Cupper moved atop the Order of Merit on the European Tour.

``It's just wonderful to put my name down in history, put my name on the roll of honor," said Casey.

So dominant was Casey that he played only 126 holes, a record for fewest holes over four 36-hole matches. Ian Woosnam and Padraig Harrington each played 128 holes in 2001.

Micheel was very much in the match through the first 15 holes of the day. Casey was 1 up and hit his tee shot into the bunker on the 16th, leaving him no chance to reach the green. From the fairway, Micheel sent his 8-iron over the green and against the base of the grandstands. He had to take relief in a muddy, matted patch of grass. Trying to flop the ball up a steep slope, he sculled it over the green, some 70 feet away.

Casey three-putted for bogey. From nearly the same spot, Micheel lagged to 5 feet, but lipped out his bogey putt. He tossed his wedge at the bag, then barked at caddie Tony Lingard, ``Don't say another word to me the rest of the day."

PGA -- Ben Curtis claimed a lame-duck event for the second time in three months by winning the 84 Lumber Classic in Farmington, Pa., by two shots over Charles Howell (72).

Curtis shot a 2-under 70 to finish at 14-under 274. He won the last Booz Allen Classic in June.

Champions -- Bob Gilder shot a 65 to overcome a three-shot deficit and defend his title by two strokes over Brad Bryant (68), Don Pooley (70), and Jay Haas (68) in the Constellation Energy Classic, the final year of the event.

European -- Ian Poulter shot a 3-under 69 (22-under 266) to win the Madrid Masters by five strokes over Ignacio Garrido (66).

US Senior Amateur -- Georgia golf store manager Bill Leonard shot a 2-under 70 (1-under 143) to share medalist honors with Paul Simson in Newburgh, Ind.