WORLD number three Paul Casey will go into this week’s US Open at Bethpage Black aiming to break a 39-year English drought in America’s national championship.

Casey, with three victories around the world already in 2009, admits becoming the first Englishman to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970 would be a greater achievement than doing the same at either the Masters or US PGA Championship as it would have been done in a major he considers “the toughest test in golf”.

Casey landed his maiden American victory at the Shell Houston Open in March but he also admitted his US Open record was not the best, a tie for 10th at Oakmont in 2007 being his best finish in six attempts.

“I think it would be fairly significant,” Casey said.

“Tony Jacklin, 1970, Hazeltine. So, yeah, it would be very significant.

“You know, the Open Championship is obviously the one that’s closest to my heart because it’s my home major, my home championship.

“I think the US Open, the only reason it would be second is because the Open would be my home championship.

“It’s the only reason I can give you.

“This would be the one that maybe I’ve struggled at the most.

“So I think it would be almost seen as a greater achievement.”