Dunhill Links: Paul Casey on the hunt for birdies, but finds a dog instead as pet plays with ball

GOLFER Paul Casey was looking for birdies but ended up with a doggie at the Dunhill Links Championship yesterday.

The former Ryder Cup star was sizing up a putt on the 12th hole at Kingsbarns in Fife when the playful pet decided to have some fun with his ball.

A bemused Casey could only look on and smile as the dog picked up the ball and played with it.

The incident happened as he continued his partnership in the celebrity pro-am with Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps. Eventually, the dog moved on and the former world No 3, on in two at the par five hole, two-putted for a birdie.

That lifted him to one under par, but he was still 11 adrift of South African Branden Grace, who on Thursday equalled the European Tour record with a 12-under-par 60 on the course.

Grace, switching to St Andrews yesterday, was among the later starters. By the end of play, he held the biggest halfway lead of the European Tour season after a second-round 67.

At the third of the Dunhill courses – Carnoustie – the star attractions included former cricketer Shane Warne and his actress girlfriend Liz Hurley.