Can Paul take it to next level?
Having started the year in 68th place, he is now up to 35th in the world rankings and almost certain to stay in the top 50 at the end of the year - meaning a starting place in the four majors and all of the world championships in 2006.
He has improved to sixth in the European Tour order of merit with just over €1m and only Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie, Angel Cabrera and Thomas Bjorn are ahead of him.
The way McGinley fought back from four over par after 14 holes on the first day at Firestone speaks volumes for his guts and shot-making. He may feel his putting let him down again and the three he took from a yard on the 11th on Sunday was an ill timed double bogey. But his game is clearly in great shape as he heads for the BMW International in Munich this week along with Padraig Harrington, Gary Murphy, Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane.
Certainly, losing by two shots to Tiger Woods is nothing to be ashamed of with McGinley proving his resolve as he tackled a really long and rain sodden course after torrential rain delayed the completion of Saturday’s third round.
“The wind was from a different direction which made it extremely difficult. It was blowing across the course, so we didn’t have its help on any hole. It was a day for battling. I started out well over the first five or six holes, then missed a few fairways by a yard. It seems every time you miss by a yard, you’re stone dead. Every time I was in the rough, it was a chip out. And still I managed to get pars.
“But then on 11, I three putted from three feet. When you’re trying to win a tournament, you can’t afford to do things like that. I dug deep and hung on really well and had a strong finish and was especially happy the way I played the 16th for a birdie. I just left myself too much to do. The 11th put me out of the ball game to a large extent. Having said that, had I shot 69, I probably would have won and that was very achievable. I didn’t want to go down the lines of saying to myself that the course was going to be too difficult for me. You must think more positively than that.”
McGinley was on the 17th green when a huge roar greeted an amazing birdie by Woods on the 16th where he drove into the trees and somehow still managed to make four. McGinley’s reaction? “Tiger seems to have a shot every time he hits it in the trees. He’s such a skilful player that no shot is impossible for him.”
But he added: “This is the first time I’ve competed at world level. I had a great week in the BMW last year to make the Ryder Cup team, but on the world stage this is the first time I really contended, being in the heat of battle and with a serious chance of winning. It’s a learning process. I might be old in terms of years, but in terms of experience I’m pretty young.”
McGinley’s close friend Pádraig Harrington was delighted but not surprised at his fellow Dubliner’s fine performance. Before the completion of the fourth round, Harrington said: “It could do a lot for him if he does win an event like this, give him the self-confidence to go with his game which is obviously very strong. A win or a big finish will give him more self confidence. Second place in the BMW at Wentworth helped him get up to the Top 50, now this helps him get into the 20s or 30s. He certainly is capable of more so it’s a question of just getting a break on the back nine.”
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