McGinley pips Harrington for Player of the Year accolade

PAUL McGinley has been rewarded for a year that saw him win the Volvo Masters and rise from 68th in the world rankings to a career-high 18th by being named the O2 Irish Golf Writers’ Association ‘Professional Player of the Year’ for 2005.

This is despite the fact that his chief rival Pádraig Harrington has won twice on the US Tour this year.

It was McGinley’s second professional award. Last year, he shared the honour with Harrington and Darren Clarke for the trio’s performances in helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills in Michigan. The Dubliner, 39 on Friday, will receive his award at the O2 IGWA annual awards dinner, which will be held at Elm Park GC, Dublin, on January 12th.