Porsche Brand Ambassador Paul Casey is one of the top stars at the second edition of the Porsche Singapore Classic at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club from 20 to 23 March. After triumphing at the 2019 Porsche European Open in Hamburg, Germany, the Englishman will be seeking his second victory at Porsche golf event. It would be his 21st pro title in a career that has led him to becoming the world No. 3. One of world golf’s group of influential players in the past two decades, Casey won the Ryder Cup three times with Team Europe.
Paul Casey, how does it feel to be back at the Porsche event?
Paul Casey: It feels really good to be back at the Porsche Singapore Classic. You know, this is like my extended family, my Porsche family. It is also good to be back on DP World Tour. I've never won in Singapore. I played well last year but didn't win. I'd love to try and give it a go against all the young guys now. Every year it gets tougher. But I'm in good spirits. I'm fit, I'm healthy and full of energy.
What are you looking forward to this week?
Casey: I think on the golf side, you never can control the outcome. You never know how the game is going to be. So, I'm looking forward to the challenge of this golf course. It's always windy here. There are some challenging shots which are intimidating, the infamous par 3 17th hole. We have a great hole-in-one prize that we'll all be trying to win, the Taycan Turbo S. And there's also the other side of it which is catching up with friends. On the Porsche side, my racing hero Timo Bernhard is here, who I've met a couple of times. As you know, I'm a big motorsports fan, so getting to hang around with him is great.
Is it the perfect combination?
Casey: Oh, yes. It's always that balance. Of course, the golf has to come first. But I do enjoy the other side of things. Because you make good friends. And the Porsche Singapore Classic is one of those places where I've got good friends. It's a wonderful place to hang out. I have the passion for everything that goes along with this tournament There's always a couple of extra events that I attend here, dinners and Q&A sessions with Porsche guests and things like this. I really enjoy it.
How does Porsche influence an event like this?
Casey: There's a vibe that goes with things. Everybody here at the tournament knows what I'm talking about. You enter a room, and you can feel an energy. Porsche events have this energy around them which is always so positive and engaging and fun. That comes from the people, and it comes from the brand.
Can you give an example?
Casey: Just last week, I bumped into someone from the Porsche Club Singapore at a hotel. I had met him in the Pro-am last year and he's all excited for this year. He was already talking about looking forward to this week. And the guy had his car parked outside. He said, “Please come along, could you take a picture with me in my car?” There's that positive energy. And that's so important. I've played hundreds of golf events. But at Porsche tournaments, there’s a vibe that you can feel and sense. That's important.
Does it help you on the course?
Casey: I think so. Because if you enjoy something, you always tend to be better at it. It's like being in school, isn't it? It's the subjects you like in school, you do well at, you excel at.
How do you like your game at the moment?
Casey: My form is good. I had surgery last year on my big toe. For many years, I was destroying that toe. The cartilage between the big toe joint, I was wearing it away. And this was the cause of a lot of injuries, like my back injuries for years. Now I'm not a hundred percent, but I walk pain free. And the back doesn't hurt. I feel like the body is ten years younger. The recovery process is not over, it takes probably more months before it's perfect, but it feels so good.
What are your goals for the next months or years?
Casey: I'm a process guy. I do write down my goals, but I tend not to share them. There are exciting things like I'll be doing Open qualifier later this year to try to get to Royal Portrush and things like this. But so much of my goals are based around working on the game. Fixing the foot, fixing the body, getting better, swinging it better, hitting it better. One less putt per week, this kind of thing. And so, it's difficult to say, hey, I want to win this week or next week. It's more, it's a quest.
Is this the reason, you still enjoy it so much after more than two decades on tour?
Casey: Yes. I enjoy the challenge of the game. It's not always about whether I win or whether I shoot the lowest score. It's like, am I getting better? Which seems crazy after all these years. You never beat the game. Does the perfect round of golf exist? I don't know, probably not. You'd have to hole every shot. But you still try because you play different courses all the time. And I love the game, the challenge it poses. Different golf courses, the elements, the wind, the heat. And it is also the people you meet. It just kind of keeps you inspired.
Speaking about inspiration, what do you think about the hole-in-one car? The Taycan Turbo S in Oak Green Metallic?
Casey: This is a historic colour. Wasn’t green the favourite colour of the Porsche family? I think it’s amazing. I've never owned a Taycan yet. But this is a car I'd love to own. People know my passion for Porsche. And it develops. And I think there's a Taycan Turbo S in my future. Hopefully it's this week at the Porsche Singapore Classic.
What do you like about driving electric?
Casey: To me besides the zero emissions, it's also the performance, the almost instantaneous performance. And it’s more than that. I get out of the car, and I feel relaxed, I feel calm, it’s effortless to drive. Maybe that's because now I've got two kids running around and I want a bit of peace and quiet sometimes (laughs). I have the consideration of the kids as well. My daughter likes things that are loud. She would like the Spyder RS that is presented here. And my little boy would love a Taycan. So, it depends on how much influence they have on the next car. But it is fact: there's no wrong Porsche.
Porsche in Golf
Porsche has been involved in golf since 1988 through the Porsche Golf Cup. One of the company’s most successful customer events, the tournament series has developed into an international event in which over 16,000 Porsche customers recently took part in 229 worldwide qualifying tournaments. The sports car manufacturer started its involvement in professional golf in Germany in 2015 when becoming the title sponsor of the DP World Tour’s prestigious Porsche European Open. In order to expand its global activities, Porsche has been acting as the title sponsor of the Porsche Singapore Classic in the important Asian market since 2024. Car partnerships at US PGA Tour and DP World Tour tournaments, such as the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana as well as in women’s golf at The Amundi Evian Championship, round off its worldwide commitment in professional golf. Launched in 2017, the Porsche Golf Circle is also highly successful. The international community for keen golf-playing Porsche customers gives members the opportunity to enjoy exclusive golfing experiences at unique locations and at professional tournaments. Paul Casey has been complementing the Porsche family as the first Brand Ambassador from the game of golf since 2020.
