McGinley soars with eagle

A second eagle in as many rounds eased Paul McGinley into the weekend at the Avantha Masters.

McGinley posted an eagle and three birdies in a second round 69 for a share of 15th place at five under on the DLF course in New Delhi.

The triple Ryder Cup-winning star eagled the par-five 18th, his ninth hole, a day after two-putting the par-five ninth hole for eagle.

McGinley is the only player in the €1.8 million event to post a pair of eagles and helped guarantee him his first pay cheque of the season after missing the cut in last fortnight’s Qatar Masters. It also makes up for missing the cut last year after rounds of 76 and 75.

Scotland’s Peter Whiteford added a 68 to Thursday’s 66 to move two strokes clear of the tri-sanctioned field at 10 under par.

Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin birdied four of five holes mid-round in a score of 69 to share 27th place at three under par.