McGinley boosts Cup hopes

With most of Europe’s stars turning their thoughts to next week’s US Open, Paul McGinley had the chance to boost his Ryder Cup hopes at Gleneagles today.

And it was an opportunity the Dubliner was taking as he opened the Diageo Championship with a four-under-par 68 to be only one behind early clubhouse leader Nick O’Hern, of Australia.

McGinley, the match-winning hero of the 2002 match, underwent knee surgery this spring after finishing second to Mark O’Meara in the Dubai Desert Classic.

He is currently 17th in the race for places in Europe’s team this September, but could go eighth by winning on Sunday.

“The injury set me back because I played with it for three weeks and then went five weeks without hitting a ball,” said McGinley.

“It’s not bothering me on the course, but it’s affecting the amount of preparation I can do and it’s all about quality now. If I play well I will make it – and I desperately want to.”

Both he and O’Hern covered the back nine first in 33, three under, and while both added three more birdies the Perth golfer had just one bogey while McGinley had two.

O’Hern is also back playing after a knee problem – and it has hit his hopes of playing in the Open at Royal Troon next month.

He entered the qualifying competition in Melbourne and although he pulled out before the start he was told that he could not go in for any other qualifying event.

O’Hern’s only hopes now are a mini-European Order of Merit currently in progress – only two places are on offer through that – or to be the leading non-exempt player at either the European Open or Scottish Open.

“Very strange and a bit bizarre,” he said. “I’m not sure what their reasoning was, but I’ve just got to take it on the chin.”

With two to play Malaga-based Englishman Miles Tunnicliff was also five under and sharing top spot.

Yorkshire’s Ian Garbutt reached three under, but bogeyed the last two holes for a 71.

He had former Leeds and Everton footballer Ian Snodin working as his caddie. Rotherham-born Snodin, now 40, started and finished his career with Doncaster, Garbutt’s hometown club.

Scott Drummond, playing for the first time since his stunning victory in the Volvo PGA championship two weeks ago, returned a 73.

Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie, the only player in the field taking part at Shinnecock Hills next week, were among the later starters.