McGinley fully fit as Irish travel in force to Cannes

At a time when most of the European big guns were raking in green-backs on the opposite side of the Atlantic, the majority of the European Tour's membership were like pupils on a mid-term break. So, three weeks after the Portuguese Open, their last tournament, the circus swings back into action this week with the Cannes Open in Royal Mougins - and the Irish are travelling in force.

Indeed, Paul McGinley's break from competition has been even longer. The Dubliner hasn't played since the Qatar Masters in early March, a six-week absence forced on him by a rib injury. McGinley, however, is one of a nine-strong Irish representation competing in Cannes and has fully recovered from his ailment. "I'm 100 per cent fit," he enthused as he resumes his competitive play in the quest for more world-ranking points.

McGinley and his World Cupwinning partner Padraig Harrington - who at least played in the TPC at Sawgrass when the European Tour was on its sojourn - head the Irish invasion to the south of France. They are accompanied by Philip Walton, Raymie Burns, Christy O'Connor Jnr, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Francis Howley and David Higgins, while their challenge could yet be augmented by Cameron Clark who is fifth reserve but stands a good chance of getting in to the field.

Three of the players were actually in action at Luttrellstown Castle last Thursday for a nine-hole shoot-out which was won by Smyth from Harrington and McGinley. And Harrington subsequently proved himself something of a card shark when making the final table in the charity Poker Classic and donating his winnings to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland.

It's back to business, however, this week and, not surprisingly, none of the Europeans who competed in the US Masters have entered the Cannes Open, while Tomas Bjorn, the only Ryder Cup player not to get an invite to Augusta, has also decided not to compete.

Harrington is currently the highest placed Irishman in the tour money list (in 17th place with £55,165 from four events) and, like McGinley, his objective at the outset of the season was to improve his world rankings points to secure invitations to the four new World Tour events in 1999.

Meanwhile, the European Tour performance statistics make interesting reading - not least because former Ryder Cup player Philip Walton occupies a high-ranking place with his use of the driver, but has failed to make that driving prowess reap financial dividends.

Walton is placed at seventh in the driving accuracy table - a cumulative data process up to and including the Portuguese Open - and is eighth in the driving distance table. However, the Malahide man has managed to earn just £4,985 from the four tournaments he participated in this season.

In contrast, the old adage of "drive for show, putt for dough" appears to have some credence. Harrington fails to make the top 10 in either of the driving statistics but is ranked fourth in the average putts per round with a miserly 28 which translates to a healthy position in the money list.