McGinley hasn't given up hope of making the team

INTERVIEW PAUL McGINLEY:John O'Sullivan talks to the veteran who is continuing his rehabilitation from knee surgery in his quest to make the Ryder Cup team

PAUL McGINLEY knows that acquiring what he craves most in the next couple of months is a task of Herculean proportions. He wants a place on Colin Montgomerie’s European team that will take on the US in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in October.

Sidelined for four-and-a-half months between last November and March after having surgery on his left knee for the sixth time since breaking his kneecap playing Gaelic football as a 19-year-old, he has played nine tournaments since returning to competitive golf, winning €61,365 with a best finish of tied 28th at the PGA Championship at Wentworth. He lies 74th in the European Ryder Cup points list.

The injury still slightly curtails his ability to practise as much as he would like, but despite these handicaps McGinley bristles with enthusiasm for the challenge. His attitude gives an inkling of just why he is so highly regarded when it comes to team golf and why he’ll be in Wales in an official capacity come October.

The Ryder Cup has in some respects defined his professional career, and not simply “that putt” at the Belfry. His contribution at Oakland Hills and the K Club were similarly worthy. The Dubliner has consistently excelled in the team format from the amateur days to the paid ranks: Walker Cup, World Cup, Seve Trophy, Royal Trophy, Ryder Cup and the Vivendi Trophy.

He understands the dynamic of the team ethos, values he would have inherited from his days in Gaelic football. “It’s based on a passion I have for team sports. The most fun I have had in professional golf is being part of a team. I love being part of a team and it does relate directly to my GAA days.

“I really miss not having had a Gaelic football career after the age of 19. Kevin Moran is my hero. I would love to have done what he did: to be successful playing Gaelic on a big stage and then go into another sport and repeat that feat.

“In an ideal world I would have loved another two or three years playing Gaelic football playing for Dublin and then switched to professional golf; that would have been perfect. Still I can’t complain the way that it has turned out.”

His immediate priority is to complete the rehabilitation process under the direction of former IRFU director of fitness Dr Liam Hennessy. “The toughest hurdle is definitely the mental one, committing to shots completely when lies are not perfect: you know, sidehill, uphill or downhill lies. That’s when I have to get over that mental hurdle and just swing through the ball.

“I feel that I am in really good hands. It is the first time that Liam has overseen my rehab; not that I did it badly before. He has given me some new ideas about not alone rehabbing but protecting it. The focus has been on not overdoing things.

“Being out for four-and-a-half, five months, I am playing catch-up. It’s a big lump out of the season, and then you are coming back when everyone is so far ahead of you in terms of points and order of merit positions.

“I am still highly motivated, practising hard, and I am expecting a good second half to the season. Where I am lacking at the moment is my consistency. The longer the season goes on the better I am going to be because I will have more rounds under my belt.”

McGinley is part of a select group of Europeans who managed three successive Ryder Cup victories over the Americans. He missed out the last time in Louisville, Kentucky, as a player and also declined an invitation from Nick Faldo to be a vice-captain. Europe lost.

The indications are that Montgomerie will announce his vice-captains after the British Open at St Andrews: McGinley will be offered one role.

He’s not ready, though, to forfeit on a desire to play. “I certainly haven’t given up hope. It is a long shot but I am not going to give up hope. I have not spoken to him (Montgomerie) about it. I think that all the indications are that I am going to be asked to be a vice-captain if I don’t make the team. But we’ll address that issue when it arises.

“At some stage I will have to be a vice-captain if I am going to be a (Ryder Cup) captain, which I would love to be.

“I didn’t do it the last time in Kentucky.

“My major priority is a selfish one: Paul McGinley. For the next few months it’s about me getting a bit of form going. Whatever comes after that comes after that.”

The European team-room will certainly benefit from his presence, no matter in what capacity.