McGinley mulls over Ryder Cup permutations

PAUL McGINLEY, the man who won the last Ryder Cup, last night set up what should be a nail-biting climax to Europe’s 12-month race for automatic places next weekend.

It is a race in which Colin Montgomerie, the man who top-scored at The Belfry two years ago, and Luke Donald can play no part. For the first time in his career Montgomerie needs a wild card, his chances of a guaranteed place disappearing with two closing rounds of 75 in the NEC world championship in Akron.

Donald had to finish second on his world championship debut to have a hope of climbing into the top 10 and he was there after seven holes of his final round last night in Akron. Then came four bogeys in the next five holes and he resigned himself to a wild card being his only way in.