McGinley looks to keep injury at arm’s length
The Irishman horribly thinned a ball and immediately clutched at his arm before rushing to seek treatment from medical staff. Tour physios diagnosed the problem as a reaction to an excessive amount of practice McGinley had undertaken with coach, Bob Torrance, ahead of last week’s European Masters.
McGinley said: “I’ve never had the concern before in my forearm and the physio guys reckon it’s just over-work. They tried to loosen out the tightness with electro magnetic treatment and it feels a lot better.”
McGinley was also given some pain-killers to allow him to take his place in the Pro-Am and is confident of teeing-up today in the ancient German city: “It should be fine and I’m not worried about starting.”
Meanwhile, McGinley, who captains the Great Britain & Ireland team in the Vivendi Trophy side later this month, is still unsure what players are available to him for the Paris event.
Lee Westwood and Justin Rose have both withdrawn while doubts persist over Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Padraig Harrington.
“It’s a blow to lose players of the calibre of Lee and Justin Rose,” said McGinley.
“Lee explained he needed a week off with the family and that’s understandable.
“But I’m still waiting to hear from Paul Casey, (Ian) Poulter and (Padraig) Harrington.
“I’m not sure if they will play or not. Paul’s still out injured and Poulter and Harrington are still involved with the FedEx Series in the States. I am holding out hope until I know whether or not they will be competing.
“As a captain of any team, it would be disappointing to loose your top-five players. Lets just see if they do withdraw – the only ones who have withdrawn, in my eyes, are Lee and Justin Rose.”
McGinley’s been on two winning Seve Trophy sides, in 2002 and& 2005, and wants to make that three as a GB & I leader.
“I want to win and I will not be taking a side to France to come second. I am holding out hope that the guys that I’ve mentioned will be able to play but it all depends whether they make the top 30 for the final FedEx Cup event.”
European team captain, Thomas Bjorn, has already lost injured Race to Dubai money leader Martin Kaymer, while Sergio Garcia has also withdrawn ahead of official team finalisation on Sunday night.
Seven Irish, including 2009 Tour winners Shane Lowry and Michael Hoey, will tee-up in the 72-player, no cut tournament in Germany.
