Irish star impresses O’Meara
McGinley still has not won since his Belfry heroics two years ago, but former Masters and Open champion O'Meara played with him all four days at the Emirates Club and said: "I look for him to have a very big year in Europe and golf in general.
"He's a great competitor and he's swinging the club very, very well. He's also a class guy."
O'Meara himself celebrated his first big victory since his double major triumph year in 1998 he also won the Cisco World Match Play at Wentworth that season and at 47 years and 54 days became the sixth oldest winner in European Tour history.
Among the first to congratulate him was his close friend Tiger Woods, who finished joint fifth and offered the services of TWA Tiger Woods Airlines - for the return journey to Florida.
Having slumped from fourth in the world to 201st, O'Meara is making no predictions about adding to his two major titles, but the discovery of a new putting grip he calls 'The Saw' has definitely given him a new lease of life.
McGinley, who was taking part in the Abu Dhabi World Sand Championship yesterday, and then going on to the Qatar Masters starting on Thursday, was one behind with three to play, but bogeyed the 16th after driving behind a tree and could not grab the eagle he needed on the par-five last.
"It was a really good week, but I'm disappointed not to have won," he said. "We're in a competitive business and the difference between first and second is huge.
"I feel like I've been in a boxing match. It was mentally tough, and to be as tough as Mark was, you have to hand it to him.
"I don't feel I lost it. Considering he had not won since 1998 he played awesome he putted lights out the first two days and never seemed to give me an inch.
"He played like a guy who had been winning tournaments every day of his life and I can see why he has been so successful."
Woods made no secret of the fact that he was rooting for his buddy.
"We all want to see him do it," he said. "He's 47 and Paul has many more years.
"It's all been about his putting. He's been playing decent, but not making anything. He tried 'The Claw' (another unusual grip) and a belly putter, but he just needed to feel that he could release the blade consistently."
O'Meara says of his method: "Trust me, it works. You might want to try it."
He and Woods made a hush-hush trip to American troops on the aircraft carrier George Washington in the Gulf last Wednesday.
O'Meara expected that to be the highlight of his visit. But there was a surprise and a cheque for nearly £180,000 in store for him.
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