McGinley takes shine to US

In the manner of tournament professionals, they went their separate ways from here on Sunday night. Paul McGinley headed for Donegal, Darren Clarke for his home in Sunningdale, Padraig Harrington for Munich . . . and Greg Norman for Co Clare.

Norman for where? "I am going to apply the final touches to my design work at Doonbeg," said the Shark, in reference to the £12.5 million project on majestic duneland in west Clare, where he headed in the comfort of his private plane.

Meanwhile, McGinley is anxious to experience more of the American life which he enjoyed so much as a student for three years at San Diego University. "My main target now is to get myself into a position where I can play up to 12 tournaments a year in the US," he said before departing.

After struggling somewhat over the opening three days, especially with his putting, the 33-year-old Dubliner was understandably upbeat after a final round of 67 which lifted him into 23rd place on his own, for a reward of $60,000. "I want to come back here as soon as possible," he said.

"I enjoy it over here. I like the American lifestyle and their golf courses. The facilities and conditions are unbelievable. Playing in this country has to improve your game."

But there is a major stumbling block. Whereas Clarke can play in the US almost any time he pleases and Harrington can get the important invitations, McGinley suffers from being outside the top-50 in the world rankings. But things are getting better. From a position of 127th 12 months ago, he came to Firestone in 78th place.

"If I managed to get into the top-50, which is my immediate goal, I would aim at playing 12 tournaments a year over here, around the majors and the World Championship events." Was he interested in gaining USPGA Tour membership, which would entail a minimum of 15 events a year? "No," he replied. "I don't see that as being either necessary or desirable: my main commitment will remain to the European Tour.

"I want to become a better player and from my experience in the USPGA Championship at Valhalla and here at Firestone, I have pinpointed the weakness in my game. I believe I can compete with most of the leading players from tee to green, but my short game is not up to their standard.

"I have an awful lot of work to do to improve on what is really the scoring part of the game. Over the four rounds here at Firestone, I holed only about three putts of more than five feet, yet I finished inside the top 25 in an elite field. That has to be encouraging.

"With the fantastic practice facilities over here, I am convinced I can become a better player."

After a dispiriting opening round of 76 last Thursday, Harrington set himself the target of pulling away from the bottom of the field. It was a braver objective than it might have appeared at the time, given the presence of players like Davis Love, Steve Pate, Kirk Triplett, Ian Woosnam, and Notah Begay in that region.

There was also the not inconsiderable factor of Harrington's shoulder and neck problems. Yet he had the courage and skill to lift himself not simply off the bottom of an elite field, but a full 12 places clear of Pate, who eventually finished last of the 37.

In the process, Harrington won $44,000 a difference of $14,500. And he proved how comfortable he has become in the company of the world's leading players. That is the sort of status to which McGinley aspires.

Meanwhile, Clarke simply ran out of inspiration. After rounds of 68, 72, 72, 67 for a share of ninth place in the USPGA Championship at Valhalla the previous week, he managed to maintain the momentum in an opening 66 at Firestone. From there on, however, he drifted out of contention, not least due to his play of the four short holes and the blunder of a doublebogey seven at the long 16th on Friday.

For a player of his skill with the irons, a return of three over par for the par threes (200 yards, 219, 178 and 221) was disappointing. Leaving Tiger Woods out of the equation - as it happened, he covered them in four under - a more telling comparison would be with Welshman Philip Price. His return for the par threes was an exemplary three under - six strokes better than Clarke.