McGinley and Langer seal cup spots

Paul McGinley and Bernhard Langer today became the ninth and 10th players to seal their places in Europe's Ryder Cup team.

Paul McGinley and Bernhard Langer today became the ninth and 10th players to seal their places in Europe's Ryder Cup team.

Their presence at The Belfry next month was confirmed when Phillip Price missed the halfway cut in the BMW International Open in Munich.

For Dubliner McGinley it will be a cup debut, while Langer, 44 last Monday, joins Nick Faldo and Christy O'Connor - Senior, not Junior - as the only players to appear on 10 teams.

They are eighth and ninth in the points table, but Sergio Garcia has already been guaranteed a wild card by captain Sam Torrance if he needs it, so only two places remain up for grabs this weekend.

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Langer's presence ensures that Europe will not go into the match without a major champion in their ranks for the first time.

The German was bitterly disappointed not to be chosen by Mark James two years ago, especially in a European side so lacking experience.

He has played his way back into the team despite dividing his time between the US and European tours this season.

In America he has had a second, two thirds and a sixth in the Masters, while last month he was joint third in the Open and then a week later won the Dutch Open.

Langer added a 69 to his opening 67 today to lie eight under, while McGinley is on the same mark following a 66 achieved despite waking up at 2.30am because of jet-lag.

The Irishman, who partnered Padraig Harrington to World Cup victory four years ago, wanted to go on holiday this week, but felt he had to play because there was still a possibility he could be bumped off the team.

Having arrived only at midnight on Wednesday, McGinley was three over par after six holes of his first round, but had played the 30 since in 11 under.

"I felt it was important to make the team on a positive rather than negative note, so I'm thrilled to have achieved such a lofty goal," said the 34-year-old.

"I was dreading having to come to this tournament still fighting for my place because I think 62nd is my best-ever finish here.

"I wanted to make this team so badly and thought it was important too to produce quality rather than quantity. I've taken my breaks and in the whole year of qualifying I've missed only one cut."

That, ironically, was at the K Club in Dublin - the course he represents.

PA