McGinley confident of return

Tour Scene News round-up: His knee is fast becoming as infamous as the putt that won the Ryder Cup for Europe in 2002 is famous, but Paul McGinley - who had an enforced layoff last week when the BMW Championship was played virtually on his doorstep - is confident that, just a fortnight after he underwent surgery, he will be able to play in this week's Wales Open at Celtic Manor. Philip Reid reports.

As things stand, McGinley is the only Irish player in position to secure an automatic place on Europe's Ryder Cup team at The K Club in September. Fortunately for him, McGinley's absence from Wentworth didn't result in an significant change to that status as the winner, David Howell, was already in prime position to be on Ian Woosnam's side and the Englishman's success in garnering so many points merely consolidated his place.

Although his knee swelled up badly after playing some practice holes last Wednesday, McGinley is hopeful of playing in Wales, even though the course is a demanding and undulating one. He is one of eight Irishmen in the field along with Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane (who was forced to withdraw after the first round of the BMW due to suffering dizzy spells, but who is now recovered), Gary Murphy, Michael Hoey, David Higgins and Stephen Browne.

McDowell, Lawrie and Murphy are also entered to play in next Monday's International Qualifying for the US Open which takes place at Walton Heath in Surrey, which is the route that Michael Campbell - who plays in Wales this week, his last tournament appearance before he defends his major title - took in qualifying for last year's championship.

McGinley, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke are all exempt for next month's US Open at Winged Foot and yesterday's official world rankings was the cut-off point to decide the last automatic spots with the top-50 qualifying.

McGinley's place in the US Open field where, critically, money won counts on the European Tour Order of Merit and also to the Ryder Cup points table, is secure. And, unless there is a bad reaction to his knee, he hopes to play in Wales and finally kickstart his season.

"I'm 50-50 to play," he said yesterday. "I hope to play in the pro-am and then I'll make a decision depending on how much it swells.

"I feel that my season hasn't really started yet and I can't seem to get off the blocks so, once my knee is ready, I will be changing my schedule slightly to get tournaments and competitive rounds under my belt and work my way up the world rankings." He is currently 37th in the rankings.

Darren Clarke, who remains the leading Irishman in the rankings at 19th, is also exempt for the US Open but his future itinerary is undecided due to the health of his wife, Heather.

Meanwhile, Padraig Harrington's immediate schedule is clear-cut. The Dubliner has a free week before heading out next week to defend his Barclays Classic title at Westchester, the first of a three-week stint that also takes in the US Open and the Booz Allen Classic.

Following his tied-sixth finish at the weekend, Harrington remarked: "I'm very close to playing my very best golf. I'm very close to having a week where the putts drop and I'm thinking everything is rosy in the garden. I'm certainly very happy with how my game is, and the last two weeks have been very positive." Is there concern that he hasn't had a tournament win in a year, since winning the Barclays last June? "If anything, I'm losing a bit of patience, getting a bit frustrated, on the golf course.

"The problem with the next tournament I play (in Westchester) is that I'm going to have a lot of expectations having won last year and being second the year before. That's only going to make it tougher (to win).

"If I was a betting man, I'd be thinking my third week out there (the Booz Allen), that's the week I won last year as well. You put yourself under so much pressure when you go back to defend that it does make it harder. There's a lot more focus and spotlight on it. Even thought the course suits me, you carry a certain amount of baggage in there and that doesn't help you."

Irish positions on European Tour money list: 16th, Padraig Harrington a505,055; 25th, Darren Clarke €341,441; 54th, Peter Lawrie a209,829; 70th, Damien McGrane a153,510; 84th, Graeme McDowell a135,882; 114th, Paul McGinley a92,934; 126th, David Higgins a77,087; 155th, Gary Murphy a50,691; 158th, Stephen Browne a42,918; 181st, Colm Moriarty a24,273; 234th, Michael Hoey €9,171.