The intercostal obstacle for Casey

Paul Casey is now the No. 3-ranked player in the world and in search of a major championship to validate his standing in the golf world, but he's encountered a roadblock that might postpone his bid to 2010.

Casey withdrew from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after six holes of the first round because of a strained intercostal muscle, between his ribs.

"I actually did it a couple of weeks ago, a week before the (British) Open, hitting drivers with (Peter) Kostis," he said. "I'm blaming Kostis.

"I battled through the Open, but I haven't done much in a couple weeks. I tried to rest it and then tweaked it in the rough on Monday."

Casey has been receiving treatment every day, to no avail. He won't commit to making the start at the PGA Championship next week.

"I've got to be careful because there's a lot of important golf left -- the FedEx Cup, the Race to Dubai, a lot of big stuff," he said.

-- John Strege