Paul Casey
LONDON - World number 20 Paul Casey will be sidelined for several weeks after dislocating his shoulder while snowboarding.
"I am very frustrated as I was really looking forward to getting off to a fast start in 2012," the 34-year-old Briton said in a statement on Friday.
"The good news is the experts I've seen say I don't need surgery and, having already started my rehabilitation exercises, I should be back hitting balls in a few weeks."
Casey, who was third in the world rankings in 2009, had a mediocre 2011 season due mainly to a foot injury although he won the Volvo Golf Champions event in Bahrain in January.
The 11-times European Tour winner will miss the Middle East swing, comprising three tournaments from Jan. 26 - Feb. 12.
"I've always played well in the desert and the Abu Dhabi Championship is one of my favourite events of the year so I will particularly hate sitting out that one," said Casey.
He missed out on the 2010 Ryder Cup despite strong performances in the previous three matches and faces a battle to qualify for this year's edition in Illinois in September.
Casey was frustrated most of 2011 dealing with a toe injury that required him to play with a plate in his right shoe and his toes taped up for the last six months.
"It was a joint in my foot which wasn't allowing my foot to move correctly and that put pressure on my toe," he told Reuters in an interview last month.
Despite the injury, Casey managed to chalk up a pair of wins last year.
Casey had talked about achieving some "lofty goals" he had set for himself in 2012 which included winning majors and World Golf Championship events. He also said winning on the PGA Tour was high on his list as was making the European Ryder Cup squad.
"I am really hungry to get back on that team," said the 34-year-old. "With the depth of talent that we've got in Europe, it's probably going to be the most difficult team to make since I've been on tour.
"But first things first, I need to win golf tournaments and get back on that team. And stay healthy."