Golf:Paul McGinley joined an illustrious group at the Scottish Open, which got underway at Castle Stuart today, after the Irish Ryder Cup hero became just the 20th player to make 500 European Tour appearances.
The 44-year-old, who was presented with an engraved silver ice bucket by European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady to mark the occasion, is the third Irishman to reach the landmark, following in the footsteps of Eamonn Darcy (610 appearances), and Des Smyth, veteran of 594 events.
McGinley’s first appearance came in the 1989 Irish Open as an amateur before he won his European Tour card at the 1991 Qualifying School, making his debut as a professional in the 1992 Johnnie Walker Asian Classic.
In the subsequent 19 years he has amassed more than €10million in prize money and won four European Tour titles, his first victory coming in the 1996 Hohe Brücke Open in Austria. He went on to capture the Oki Pro-Am the following the year in Madrid before defeating Paul Lawrie and Darren Lee in a play-off at the 2001 Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open.
His fourth and most significant career victory came in the 2005 season ending Volvo Masters, when he held off the challenge of Spaniard Sergio Garcia at Valderrama.
“The Volvo Masters was probably my biggest win and is a great highlight of my career,” said McGinley.” I’d lost to Michael Campbell in the World Match Play final which hurt a lot so it was great to come back and win at Valderrama a month later.
“Losing to Michael is the one I really regret. He had just won the US Open and I was down the whole match which was played over 36 holes and I got him back to all square with six to play and then lost, having fought my way back. Anybody’s career has highs and lows though and going on to the Volvo Masters was a definite high.”
Perhaps his most notable achievement however has been his role in The Ryder Cup, where he helped Europe to three consecutive victories over the United States, memorably holing the winning putt on his debut in 2002 at The Belfry.
“It’s been quite a successful period for European Tour players and I like to think that I’ve been part of that with our successes in The Ryder Cup, where we have turned the momentum from losing most Ryder Cups to winning most of them,” added the Dubliner.
“Being part of the turning of the tide in Ryder Cup’s has been great. We won three in a row and they were the three that I played in. That has provided a base for the success that European players are now having in majors.
“Holing the winning putt in The 2002 Ryder Cup at the Belfry was probably the highlight of my career and is what I will be remembered for. I’ve played three Ryder Cups and I’ve never lost in a Seve Trophy Team or a Ryder Cup Team. It’s a great record and I’ve also never lost a singles match.
“Winning the World Cup with Pádraig Harrington was a huge highlight for both of us too. To go on the world stage and win so early in our career was great. Particularly as we went to the same school and are from the same part of Dublin.”
McGinley says his more senior compatriots have played a significant role in his career.
“My first appearance as a pro was in Thailand and Des Smyth chaperoned me along with Eamonn Darcy and Christy O’Connor Jnr,” he said. “They did so for my first five years on Tour. I was great friends with Darren Clarke too and used to room with him a lot. He turned pro the year before me and we shared together for the first three or four years.
“It’s all changed really. Now I’m the one putting an arm around some of the younger Irish guys, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, Gareth Maybin. I’m very patriotic so anything I can do to help them but it’s not just the Irish guys, I’ll help anybody.
It’s not something I impose on people but if they need advice I’m around. “
“I’ve enjoyed my years on Tour very much and can’t believe how quickly they’ve gone by. I just wish it was my 200th and not my 500th appearance!”
McGinley’s feat is remarkable given he has been plagued at times with knew injuries.
“I’ve missed quite a few events due to injury but I’ve always bounced back,” he said. “I guess it could have been even more than 500 appearances had it not been for the injuries. I’ve had seven surgeries over a 20 year period but I came into the game with the problem. It initially happened in Gaelic Football at 19 and I had on surgery before I came on Tour and then six on Tour.
“It’s a difficult injury for a golfer as you are always rotating on that left knee. I’ve had a lot of physio over the years but I’ve always bounced back. I’d like to think I can go on to make 600 appearances.”
