European Tour:Paul Casey has followed Colin Montgomerie's recent example and split with his long-time caddie. Casey and Craig Connolly, who first worked together during Casey's Ryder Cup debut three years ago, agreed to part after the world number 16 finished 10th in last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont.
"I've been thinking about it for a while. We've probably been getting at each other and it's best to keep your sanity," said Casey, on the eve of the BMW International Open in Munich, where the Irishman John Mulrooney will carry his bag. "Both of us were tired at the end of last week, so when Craig said, 'What do you think?' I said, 'I think we should take a break.' We've had a couple before, so we will see.
"We haven't discussed it any further than this week. Watch this space - but John knows it's just this week for him."
Who is next on Montgomerie's bag remains to be seen. The Scot dropped Alastair McLean before the US Open and used a local caddie there as he missed the cut, but was an absentee from yesterday's pro-am in Germany.
"He's ill," said his manager Guy Kinnings. "He was due to get back from Canada this morning and then fly straight out here but did not feel up to it and so was planning to catch a later flight."
At least that news came as a relief to the sponsors after the US star John Daly withdrew from the tournament on Tuesday night "for personal reasons".
Daly, winner of the title in 2001, called in the police two weeks ago claiming his wife tried to stab him while he was in bed. His next appearance in Europe is due to be the Open at Carnoustie in four weeks' time.
Ernie Els, himself only 51st on his return to the Oakmont course where he beat Montgomerie in a play-off in 1994, has also made the trip to Munich and so have Swede Niclas Fasth and England's Nick Dougherty, Europe's top two performers last week, in fourth and seventh place.
Of the three players who were in a play-off here last year - Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen - only the Order of Merit leader Henrik Stenson is back.
But there has to some doubt whether Stenson, who grabbed the title with an eagle at the first extra hole, will stay to the end. His wife, Emma, is expecting their first child next week.
Paul McGinley makes a welcome return after a two-week break and is joined by his compatriots Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy.
