Breakthrough for McGinley revives hopes

Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley produced the score he has been waiting for today and hopes it is the start of something big.

After surviving the halfway cut in the Nissan Irish Open at County Louth with nothing to spare, McGinley fired a third-round 66, which not only sent him charging through the field, but re-ignited his bid for a second cup cap.

Since knee surgery in April the Dubliner has slipped to 17th in the points race and after moving on to the six under total of 210 he said: “I’ve had a lull the last month, but that’s part of the game and you have to deal with it.

“I will have them again, but hopefully today is the start of a run in the other direction.

“If I’m going to make the team again I’m going to have to have a lot of rounds like that, but there’s always a springer from the pack and there are people who make a rush and then slow down.”

David Howell, eighth in the points race, and Ian Poulter, in the 10th and last automatic qualifying spot, both missed the cut last night and, with only five more weeks to go, McGinley is just one of several players hoping to capitalise.

Ulsterman Graeme McDowell, who stands 14th, was four under with eight holes to go, while England’s Luke Donald, who re-joined the European tour to make himself eligible, was three under after 11 holes.

Australian Peter Lonard led by two at 10 under overnight, but in the blustery conditions McGinley was keeping his fingers crossed that come the end of the day he would be close enough to have a chance in the final round.

A sticking point for him is that he is not at the moment in the field for the US PGA championship – but he will be at the NEC world championship in Ohio the following week. All members of the last European Ryder Cup team are exempt for that.

Leaderboard:

1 LONARD, Peter AUS 13:55 -10

T2 GALLACHER, Stephen SCO 13:55 -8

T2 KINGSTON, James RSA 13:46 -8

T4 CHAPMAN, Roger ENG 13:28 -7

T4 DERKSEN, Robert-Jan NLD 13:28 -7

T4 JACQUELIN, Raphaël FRA 13:37 -7

T4 RUMFORD, Brett AUS 13:46 -7

T4 WEBSTER, Steve ENG 13:37 -7

T9 McGINLEY, Paul IRL 18 -6

T9 CÉVAËR, Christian FRA 13:19 -6

T9 DODD, Stephen WAL 13:10 -6

T9 MARTIN, Miguel Angel ESP 13:19 -6

T9 O'HERN, Nick AUS 13:01 -6

T9 O'MALLEY, Peter AUS 13:10 -6

Irish scores:

T48 DWYER, John IRL 13 -2

T38 HARRINGTON, Padraig IRL 1 -3

T48 HIGGINS, David IRL 4 -2

T22 LAWRIE, Peter IRL 2 -4

T9 McGINLEY, Paul IRL 18 -6

T55 McGRANE, Damien IRL 8 Par

T51 MURPHY, Gary IRL 18 -1

T48 CLARKE, Darren NIR 5 -2

T22 McDOWELL, Graeme NIR 12 -4