Paul Casey is in the form of his life. Wins in England, the United States and Abu Dhabi have shot him to third in the world rankings and earned him a fortune in prize money.

But all that is not enough for the world No3, who is determined to leave a real mark on the game.

Casey makes no bones about being ambitious. He said: "Although this year it has been phenomenal, there are things which ultimately define guys' careers. I don't have a major, and I would dearly love one.

"We're getting to the meat of the season so it is very important for me to try and play great golf and continue that good form through the next couple of months."

That period of time will embrace the US Open, which gets under way at Bethpage near New York tomorrow, the Open at Turnberry next month, and the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine in Minnesota in August.

Bethpage is a monster at 7,426 yards but after a visit there last week, Casey believes he can tame it. "I thought it was one of the finest courses I've ever played," said the 31-year-old Ryder Cup star.

"It's very fair, extremely strong, a very impressive golf course with short par threes, long par threes, short par fives and long par fives.

"The Open is the major that's closest to my heart because it's my home major, my home championship. But I think the US Open would be second. To me, the US Open was always the toughest test in golf."

"The Masters has been the one which I felt I had the best opportunity to win and this would be the one that maybe I've struggled at the most. So winning this week would almost be a greater achievement."

Joining Casey on the 10th tee at lunchtime tomorrow as he bids to get off to a good start will be Australia's Geoff Ogilvy and American Jim Furyk.

Tiger Woods will begin his defence of the title in the company of fellow Major holders Padraig Harrington and Angel Cabrera, while world No2 Phil Mickelson, whose wife Amy has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, will spend the first two rounds with South African duo Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.