Golf: McGinley boosts Ryder Cup hopes

Paul McGinley gave his Ryder Cup chances a timely boost in the £1m Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

McGinley carded a five under par 67 over the Wentwood Hills course and, together with Paul Lawrie, enjoyed a one-shot lead over Wales’ Jamie Donaldson in the delayed first round with yesterday’s scheduled play washed out by heavy rain with just 30 minutes play possible.

Conditions could not have been more different today with bright sunshine and McGinley took full advantage, carding six birdies and just one bogey on the Wentwood Hills course playing every inch of its 7,324 yards.

McGinley currently occupies the 10th and last automatic qualifying place for the Ryder Cup at the Belfry next month but is trying to put that to the back of his mind.

"I dearly want to make the team but I have to be careful not to want it too much because I will get in my own way," said McGinley, who chose to miss last week’s Scandinavian Masters in Malmo.

"My focus is to play well and get my game in shape and if I play well I’ll make it, if I don’t I won’t."

McGinley is well aware that he will have to qualify on merit if he wants to make Sam Torrance’s 12-man team with Sergio Garcia, Jesper Parnevik and Jose Maria Olazabal looking set to battle it out for the two wild cards.