Vast amounts of airtime and column inches were given to Tiger Woods’ comeback at the Masters last weekend and properly so.

The return to the fairways of possibly the greatest golfer in history can only enhance the sport although it merely underlines how far his stock has fallen over the past couple of years that finishing joint 17th was considered such an unqualified triumph.

It is too early to say whether Woods can become a serious challenger again or whether he is now, at the age of 39, destined to join the likes of Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw and Sandy Lyle – appearing at the big events as some kind of supporting cast to the modern-day stars.

Woods said he is in no rush to make a return to the course after injuring his wrist on the final day, but one comeback kid we should be seeing a lot more of in the coming months is Weybridge-born Paul Casey.

After a couple of years in the doldrums, Casey’s sixth place in Augusta thrust him back into the big time and despite his 37 years, he looks as fresh-faced as when he first burst on to the scene more than a decade ago.

As well as equalling his best finish in the Masters, his performance moved him back into the world’s top 50 and he spoke afterwards about his intention to force himself into new captain Darren Clarke’s plans after sitting out the past three Ryder Cups.

Casey, who now lives in Arizona, had seemed to have abandoned his hopes of appearing at Hazeltine National Golf Course when he resigned his membership of the European Tour this year to concentrate on playing in the States.

However, Clarke has made it clear he would like Casey to change his mind before the May 1 deadline for rejoining.

“There’s a massive fire burning in me to be part of the Ryder Cup team again,” said Casey. “I desperately want to be part of that again and I can play a major role in the team.”

It would be good to see Casey back on European fairways because despite his 16 professional wins you cannot help feeling his career has not hit the heights it once promised.