Casey sidelined for two months after snowboarding accident

Paul Casey could learn a thing or two from Keegan Bradley. A former all-state ski racer in his native Vermont, Bradley gave up the winter sport when he became serious about golf. Now, Casey, who has recently dealt with a rib injury and turf toe, will be out of action for two months after dislocating his right shoulder in a snowboarding accident in Colorado, according to Sky Sports.

"I am very frustrated as I was really looking forward to getting off to a fast start in 2012," Casey told the publication. "The good news is that 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."

Paul Casey may be out of commission for two months after a snow-boarding accident (Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Casey was two weeks away from trying to defend his Volvo Golf Championship in South Africa, will have to skip the star-studded Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship later this month, and will have some catching up to do if he’s to make this year’s European Ryder Cup team.

"I've always played well in the desert and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is one of my favorite events of the year, so I will particularly hate sitting out that one," said Casey, who was sorely disappointed not to make the 2010 Ryder Cup squad.

Casey’s news came on the heels of another mishap involving a golfer and some type of sports board. Lucas Glover tweaked his right knee while paddle-boarding in Kapalua ahead of this week’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions. He was still on the tee sheet for Friday’s opening round but worried after the accident that he may have to pull out of the PGA Tour’s season-opener.

As for Casey, the next time the 34-year-old Englishman considers a recreational trip down a snow-covered mountain, he might do well to heed the words Bradley spoke about the day he decided to give up the rain, the cold, and the sleet.

"I'm at the top of this mountain going, ‘This is not as much fun as golf. I love golf so much more,’" Bradley told reporters after winning last year’s PGA Championship. "I was sitting on top of that hill freezing, having no fun, and I said, ‘You know what, I want to be a golfer. This skiing is not as much fun.’"