Casey confessed he ‘double-crossed’ hitting an 8-iron into the par three, 15th on the Glen Oaks course located some 25 miles east of Manhattan on New York’s Long Island.
The World No.17 was two-under for his round at the time having bogeyed the first, birdied the fourth, bogeyed the sixth and then managing a super ‘3’ at the tough dog-leg right uphill 10th hole.
Casey’s tee shot at 15 was well left of the flag and officially 74-feet from the cup though Casey’s caddy believed it was more like 85-feet.
His ball then seemed to take an eternity before Casey and everyone about erupted in laughter and applause seeing the ball somehow disappear into the hole on route to a round of 68 and a clubhouse share of eighth and just three from the front.
“That putt was just tremendous and it had to be the world’s longest putt after a double-crossed yanked tee shot,” said Casey laughing.
“I know I’m sitting on 3-under, but I’ve had the lefts and rights so far this week, and that was a good example.
“I was trying to play a cut 8-iron in there on 15 and I double-crossed it and hit a nice, beautiful draw, away from the flag.
“But the putting’s been pretty good. I know I’ve had a 3-putt in there but my touch putting’s really good, and that was the 85-footer.
“But then it doesn’t count officially as a putt because I missed the green (smiling).”
Casey is no stranger to playing well in the Play-Offs having gone close to victory in two of the four Play-Off events a year ago, and as the now 40-year old looks to win for only a second occasion on the PGA Tour since capturing the 2009 Shell Houston Open.
“There is a lot golf and I do think about it, but I’d love another win, I really would,” he said.
“But I feel I’m enjoying my golf as much as possible is the path that will lead me to more wins, because it certainly led me to a lot of great golf the last three seasons.
“So, I’ve been looking at it. I’ve been looking at things like strategy on the golf course recently. It’s no question, the game has evolved. Certainly, since I’ve been out on Tour but the last few years, it’s really, really changed.
“Johnny (MacLaren – caddy) and I have been looking at strategy recently: Have we been aggressive enough off the tee. We talk about, since you have the shots-gained statistics which has come out and you look at the guys who have not only won this year but won multiple times, how have they played golf, how have they attacked golf courses, are we doing the right thing.
“So I think my love for the game and enjoyment we’re getting is certainly the right thing.
“It’s other little aspects that we’ve got to change and see if we’re doing the right thing that might be the difference between winning and not winning.”
Four players headed by World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (69), Rickie Fowler 66), Jhonattan Vegas (65) and Open Champion Jordan Spieth (65) share the lead at six-under on day two of the $US 8.75m Northern Trust.
Johnson and Spieth with three wins each already this season are vying also for PGA Tour ‘Player of the Year’ honours.
Justin Rose birdied three holes early in his round but then gave all three back in a two-hole stretch at his sixth and seventh to eventually sign for a second straight 68 and be tied in sixth place at four under and one fewer than Casey.