McGinley refreshed for action

GOLF: Confidence can be a brittle crutch for any sportsman. Kick it away and even the sporting elite feel vulnerable. Paul McGinley would probably empathise. For the past two weeks he has shunned tournament golf, citing exhaustion and loss of form.

Tomorrow he tees it up in the first round of the Smurfit European Open at the K Club alongside Angel Cabrera and Greg Norman, refreshed following his two-week sabbatical that included a family holiday to Portugal. His self-enforced inactivity from a golfing perspective was a major undertaking as it guaranteed he would miss the Murphy's Irish Open.

"It's probably the biggest decision I have ever had to make but it was needed because my form had been poor for the previous two or three tournaments. I got my schedule wrong. I felt that I had to rectify it and the way I played in the US Open confirmed that."

He charted the backdrop to his decision. "I came back from the (US) Masters and played the Seve Trophy in horrendous weather and went from there to the Irish PGA and played in even worse weather. Then I had two or three company days the following week so I had only three days off before the Benson & Hedges (at the Belfry). I played too much and the weather compounded it.

"I felt that for the last month I was like a boxer throwing punches and not hitting the target. I wasn't playing well and I just wasn't with it. Unfortunately it was the Irish Open from which I withdrew but I needed to, really. It was really hard, being Irish and missing the Irish Open. I think Fota Island is a great venue, I enjoyed it last year and also won the Irish PGA there before but I know myself . . . I've been a pro for 10 years and know how I feel.

"I was beat. It felt like the end of the season rather than the middle. It has been a peculiar year for me because I have never competed as much in America, playing eight or nine events."

The Dubliner smiled as he recounted the ribbing he had taken from his fellow pros concerning his bout of R and R. "Padraig (Harrington) was the first to have a go at me. He said it was nice to see me back in Ireland. I have got one eye on September (his Ryder Cup debut). The important thing is to show a bit of form between now and the end of September. I am certainly refreshed now. The two weeks have been great and now I need competitive golf."

McGinley played nine holes at the Old Head of Kinsale on Monday - "I think it's unbelievably spectacular" - but would not be bullish about his chances this week at a club whom he represents on the tour. "I feel a little bit uncompetitive but my game's there. My game doesn't leave, it's my confidence. It's about building it up again with good performances."

His lowest ebb during a difficult six weeks was the 81 he shot in the second round of the Benson & Hedges at the Belfry. "It was a big shock. That was the start of it and it came from nowhere. I've been through worse and at the end of the day it's only been four tournaments; not a big deal."

McGinley is adamant he has now sorted out his tournament playing schedule to incorporate the breaks he requires to stay fresh for the Ryder Cup in September.

If the affable Dubliner was addled by mental problems, it is purely those of a physical nature that afflict Colin Montgomerie. Despite his ongoing struggle with back problems he is a confirmed starter in today's pro-am. He spent the weekend overseeing the development of the course he designed at Carton House and working extensively with his personal trainer.

Darren Clarke had a relaxing 18 holes in the company of Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell, no doubt regaling them with the story of the honorary doctorate he was awarded by the University of Ulster, Jordanstown at the weekend. Dr Clarke, the defending champion, will be hoping to be on call again this week when the winner's cheque is on offer.