England‘s Paul Casey is two shots behind leader Charl Schwartzel after carding a first-round three-under-par 69 at the World CA Championship in Miami (Casey 9/1 WGC CA Championship – In Play).

Casey went into this week’s tournament with a chance to go second in the world rankings after respective second and fourth-placed finishes in his past two outings. And, while he was happy with his score, it could have been better had he not dropped a shot at the final hole.

“I’m very happy with a 69 – and to be only two behind,” he said. “Florida courses don’t have a soft spot in my heart, but I like the challenge of this one.”

Casey’s fellow compatriot Luke Donald (33/1 WGC CA Championship – In Play) is a shot behind him on two under alongside Ireland’s three-time major winner Padraig Harrington (20/1).

Meanwhile South African Schwartzel (14/1) leads the pack following his 67, while three players – Australian Robert Allenby (12/1), Fiji’s Vijay Singh (12/1) and South Africa’s Ernie Els (12/1) – sit one shot behind.