CHASKA, Minnesota, August 10, 2009 (AFP) - World number three Paul Casey of England will decide on Tuesday whether or not his strained rib muscle will allow him to play in the 91st PGA Championship.

In a posting on his web site Monday, Casey said that he would travel to the year's final major tournament at Hazeltine on Monday but not practice until Tuesday and see how he felt after that.

"I will head to Hazeltine on Monday but not hit any balls until Tuesday and then make my decision," Casey said.

Casey withdrew from last week's World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational after only a few holes because of a strain suffered before the British Open and aggravated during a practice round last week at Akron, Ohio.

"A strained intercostal muscle resulted in an early withdrawal Thursday and leaves me uncertain for this week," Casey said.

"The injury actually came about in the leadup to the Open when I was hitting drivers the week before. I've been able to rest it the past few weeks but tweaked it on Monday playing out of the rough."

Most annoying for Casey is that the main way to solve the problem is time and rest, neither of which he can afford this week as he attempts to bid for a first major title.

"It's a frustrating injury to receive as the only real cure is rest," Casey said. "I will hope this improves so I can initially partticipate in the PGA Championship... I will hope that any layoff is as short as possible."

Casey, 31, turned professional nine years ago with great promise and seems to be making the most of his skills this season, trailing only world number one Tiger Woods and his US compatriot Phil Mickelson in the world rankings.

Casey won titles at the Abu Dhabi Championship and the BMW PGA Championship on the European PGA Tour as well as the Houston Open on the US PGA Tour.

While Casey has said the British Open is closest to his heart, the Masters is the one he feels he has the best chance to win and the US Open is the major where he has struggled most, the PGA Championship is also among his targets.

"The majors are still the things on top of the goals list and although this year it has been phenomenal, I think those are the things which ultimately define guys' careers," Casey said ahead of the US Open.

"I don't have a major and I would dearly love one."