McGinley disappointed as Lowry just misses Seve Trophy

Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has expressed disappointment Shane Lowry is not in France for the Seve Trophy, commencing in France today.

With six of the leading GB & I qualifiers opting not to tee up this week in the north of the country, it still left Lowry one spot shy of making the Sam Torrance led team. McGinley is presently overseeing competition and last night hosted Torrance for dinner at the stunning Trianon Palace in Versailles.

“I played with Shane at Gleneagles and I know how much he wanted to play in the Seve Trophy,” said McGinley.

“I am really supportive of Shane and what he wants to do and it’s just a pity that his performance in the Dunhill Links [he finished third] came a week too late after the qualifying had finished.”

It’s the second occasion in the 13-year history of the Seve Trophy that an Irish-born player is not present in a GB & I team.

McGinley will not have his eyes on both teams but he’s set for some late night TV viewing and in particular the USA Team pairings in this week’s Presidents Cup at Muirfield Village, Ohio.

“The Americans have learned a lot about partnerships on the past few Presidents Cups and want to see what partnerships catch fire at Muirfield Village, and whether Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley continue to be a strong pairing as they were last year at Medinah,” he said.

GB & I’s David Lynn helped his team score an early victory when he super-glued together the first few layers of a pyramid arrangement of European Team practice balls.

The prank caught Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and Finland’s Mikko Illonen completely off guard but had Lynn, Irish Open winner Paul Casey, Simon Khan, Jamie Donaldson and Torrance roaring with laughter.

lDefending Champions Ireland will face England in a winner takes all clash for the Women’s Seniors Home International title today at Maesdu, Llandudno.

The Irish women thumped hosts Wales 6-2 as they look to claim back-to-back titles, while England dispatched Scotland 6½-1½.

Suzanne Corcoran and Laura Webb were once again in fine form in the morning foursomes, racking up a 6&4 win over Wales’ Janet Doleman and Chris Harries, while Sheena McElroy and Carol Wickham ensured the visitors took a 2-1 lead into the singles session.

McElroy got Ireland off to a superb start, claiming a 7&5 victory over Patricia Fernon, while Webb saw off Christine Harries 6&5.

Wins for Wickham and Gertie Mcmullen completed the one-sided affair.