Battler thriving on wear and tear

GOLF: It's not often an injury proves fortuitous but a broken kneecap sustained while playing Gaelic football guaranteed Paul McGinley would forgo all other sports and instead concentrate on golf. It's a decision the then 19-year-old might not have welcomed at the time but since he cannot have harboured too many regrets.

Yesterday in Germany the 37-year-old demonstrated his mettle in clinching a place on the European team that takes on the Americans at Oakland Hills next month, trying to defend the Ryder Cup they won at The Belfry in 2002.

The Dubliner will always be remembered as the man who holed the winning putt in the 34th Ryder Cup match. His 10-footer on the 18th green secured a half with Jim Furyk and with it the famous trophy for Sam Torrance's team.

Few will forget the dousing in the lake at the 18th, a sodden McGinley proudly clutching the Tricolour over his head.

A keen sports fan, McGinley is an avid follower of the Dubs and also a passionate fan of Celtic football club.

He was a decent Gaelic footballer but the knee injury was to change his sporting focus.

As an amateur golfer, McGinley was accomplished, a fact reflected in his selection for the 1991 Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team that faced the USA at Portmarnock.

Alongside Liam White he famously beat Phil Mickelson and Bob May, although it was the Americans who won the trophy.

He visited the qualifying school to try to get a card for the European tour that same year and succeeded.

Ever since then he has been an ever present on the tour, his first season on tour coinciding with his lowest ranking (97th) during that period. In 1996 he won his first tournament on the European circuit, the Hohe Brucke Open, and the following year followed that with a victory in the Oki Pro-Am.

In 1997 he partnered Padraig Harrington to victory in the World Cup at Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

He proved a consistent performer on the tour but a possible transformation in his fortunes coincided with a decision in 1999 to build a gymnasium in a garage at his home in Sunningdale - he married Alison in 1996 (they have three children: Niamh, Killian, Maia) and they based themselves in London - and work with former European tour physiotherapist Jonathan Shrewsbury in getting fitter.

The commitment to fitness paid dividends in 2000 when McGinley enjoyed eight top-10 finishes but it was the following year that he recorded his third tour win, in the rain-affected Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open.

The tournament was reduced to 36 holes, McGinley prevailing at the fifth tie hole following a sudden-death play-off. This win propelled him into the Ryder Cup team and coincided with his best season in terms of earnings (1,464, 438).

He proved a valued team member, not just holing the winning putt in the singles against Furyk but gaining a crucial half the preceding day when playing alongside Darren Clarke.

In 2002 he linked up with coach Bob Torrance and enjoyed a second place in the Trophée Lancôme in 2003, before recovering from a knee injury this year to play the last 10 counting tournaments and force his way into the European team.

During that period he propelled himself from the periphery with consistent high-quality performances that included five top-10 finishes. It represents a remarkable effort in terms of coping with pressure and the physical wear and tear. He's certainly earned his place.