Recovering McGinley moves into contention in Andalucia

PAUL McGINLEY eased much of the pain of a five-month lay-off from competition by moving into contention after two rounds of the Andalucian Open in Spain.

McGinley recorded an eagle and four birdies in a four-under par 66 for a six-under total on the Parador course in Malaga. It left the former Ryder Cup star four strokes behind the leading pair of South African Louis Oosthuizen England rookie Sam Hutsby, who both recorded seven-under par 63s in bright but sunny conditions.

Oosthuizen was runner-up last week in Morocco and now has recorded four second places in the past four years as he seeks a first Tour win. The 24-year old Hutsby turned pro straight after last September’s Walker Cup appearance and he’s no stranger to playing well in Spain, having won the 2006 Spanish Amateur Open Championship.

McGinley was teeing-up in only his third competitive round since going under the knife over the winter break for further surgery on his troublesome left kneecap that he first broke as a 19-year old. He missed the cut in last week’s Hassan Trophy in Morocco but is hoping a spell over the weekend working on his putting will now pay dividends.

“I’m really pleased and just to have made the cut was a big thing but then to be so high up the leader board is wonderful,” said McGinley. But while McGinley is delighted to be playing well, he admitted he’s not surprised by this week’s effort, even though he missed the cut in Rabat.

“I was surprised with how well I hit the ball last week in Morocco given it was only my third round of golf in almost four-and-a-half months,” said McGinley.

“It’s just that my putting was really poor last week. I didn’t go back home and instead stayed out in Morocco and spent time working on my putting. I have putted nicely here over the two days. But the knee is okay, and if I look after it, it will look after me, though I will have to spend a lot of time over the rest of my career working in the gym and building up those muscles, and also not over-practicing which is something that is difficult.”

Four birdies in a 67 gave Gareth Maybin the assurance of a fifth straight pay cheque and his seventh cash handout in the eight events he’s played this year. The Ballyclare star grabbed back-to-back birdies near the end of his outward nine and then ended his round with five straight fours, which included a birdie four at the 14th.

Shane Lowry has made it five four rounders from eight events this new season in carding a second round 67 for a three under par tally. The 3 Irish Open champion and current World No. 94 had six birdies in his round including a hat-trick from his 14th hole.

Also through to the weekend is Ulster’s Simon Thornton, who had just two birdies but also an equal number of bogeys in a level par 70 to stay at three under. The 32-year old was born in Bradford but, after working as an assistant pro at Royal Co. Down, he has set up residence in Newcastle and travels on an Irish passport.

This week’s event is only Thornton’s third since qualifying for the Tour from last year’s Q-School. Michael Hoey carded a second straight 69 to move to two under par and make the cut.