McGinley relief as Ryder Cup year finally under way

There were easily far more officials and photographers gathered around the Wales Open first tee than paying spectators when Paul McGinley hit the opening tee shot of the 2014 Ryder Cup qualifying campaign.

McGinley was at the course soon after 6am in readiness for his 7.25am tee-off on the Twenty-Ten course at Celtic Manor.

Before McGinley was handed his driver, he was handed the Ryder Cup for the quintessential photo shoot in a scenario that’s been common practice in recent weeks. However, 46-year-old McGinley soon found himself outgunned by a player 21 years his junior in giant Norwegian Espen Kofstad.