McGinley says Irish must earn call-up
“All my decisions are from a European Team perspective and not from an Irish perspective,” McGinley vowed ahead of today’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
His comments came on the back of questions about the impressive form of Pádraig Harrington in finishing fifth at the Volvo Champions event in Durban. Harrington has not featured for the continent since his controversial ‘wildcard’ selection by Colin Montgomerie at Celtic Manor in 2010. The effort saw Harrington move into 43rd on the European Points List with 219,405 points but a massive 1,224,354 adrift of Jamie Donaldson holding the fourth and final place from those who will qualify for the Ryder Cup.
But McGinley wouldn’t be swayed by friendships when it comes to finalising his selection.
“My decisions will be evidence based. If Pádraig is going to be a pick then show me the evidence. Let me see how he plays in the summer and let me see where he’s at. Pádraig had a great result last week and I was pleased to see how well he played, and of course I would love to see Pádraig in my team. Both Pádraig and Shane (Lowry) have to prove it to me.”
‘Look! There’s my record this year and that’s how well I have played this. And I’ve played X amount of tournaments. And I’ve won three Majors’.”
McGinley continued: “I am not going to say anything about Pádraig’s game as he knows his game and what he’s capable of better than anybody. He had a great week last week and I know he’s motivated to make the team, and I know he’s excited about his career and I would love to see him pushing on from his great start to the season.
“So keep pushing on, keep pushing on. Give me a reason to pick you. If you don’t make the team show me your CV and a reason to pick you. But let’s see how he goes in over the next nine months.”
It was a year ago this week McGinley created golfing history in becoming the first Irish born captain of a European Ryder Cup team. “I was just so excited the committee had decided I was going to be next Ryder Cup captain because I remember going into the room and Thomas (Bjorn) said ‘you’ve been voted Ryder Cup captain, obviously you’ll accept it’,” said McGinley. “I said thanks, and spoke for about five minutes. To be honest I can’t remember a word I said. I told them I’d do the job to the best of my ability and not just represent the Ryder Cup team but the European Tour as well.
“And since accepting the role I’ve learned some key things. Firstly, delegation is really important and compartmentalisation is too, making sure that when I’ve got one that on, I concentrate fully on that aspect, then when I complete that task, concentrate entirely on something else.”
McGinley is among a big field of 11 Irish, headed by Rory McIlroy teeing up in this week’s $2.7m event.
Also competing in a full-bearded Shane Lowry, rookie pro, Kevin Phelan and Peter Lawrie.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
