McGinley's Cup aim

Tournament golf returns to The Belfry in May – and for obvious reasons Paul McGinley is delighted.

It was at the Sutton Coldfield course four years ago that McGinley holed the winning putt for Europe in the Ryder Cup.

On coming back for the 60th staging of the British Masters, now sponsored by Quinn Direct, the 39-year-old Dubliner said today that his main objective is to make sure his place in September’s Ryder Cup side is secure by then.

Following his win in the Volvo Masters in October – his first victory for more than four years – McGinley lies fourth in the points race.

“My main focus is to cement my cup spot. I’m 90% there. But the job’s not done, and it’s important to get that polished off and put away.

“Both times I’ve made the team I’ve had to do it at the end. Last time I played 10 events in a row to make it, so it would be nice to avoid that.”

That is especially so, of course, because the match against the Americans is being held in Ireland for the first time.

Having decided not to undergo the knee surgery he thought he might need during the winter, McGinley returned to action in Bangkok last week and won all his three games as Europe beat Asia in the Royal Trophy.

“I’m really glad I played – it worked out really well,” he added.

“It was great to play with Nick (Faldo) and Woosie [Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam] and with Seve (Ballesteros) as captain.

“I learnt a lot – Seve was brilliant, in great form all week. You just have to learn from these guys, people who have been through it.”

The Valderrama triumph has inevitably raised McGinley’s expectations for the coming months, and that includes a return to Augusta for the Masters in April.

He finished 18th on his debut in 2002, missing out on an automatic invitation for the following year by a single stroke, and has not been back since.

Now he heads there believing that if he plays like he did at the Volvo Masters he must have a chance of ending Europe’s six-year wait for a major winner.

“It was very important for me to win. There’s a massive difference between finishing second and first, and to do it in such a big field against a quality field was something my career needed,” he said.

“I had proved I was good enough to play at that level – but I needed to win. Of course, expectations are higher now. I’ve made a lot of progress; my career is at a high, and that gives me a higher sense of belief.”

What worries McGinley about the Masters is the extra length which has been on the course since his last visit.

He was outspoken last year about the changes made to St Andrews for the Open and to other courses but added: “If I start bitching and moaning it’s going to have a negative effect, so I’m turning a blind eye to it.

“In general, though, I’m an old traditionalist dismayed at the way the game is going – and something needs to be done about it.

“It’s a no-brainer just to put in new tees. I wish people would box more cleverly, shrink fairways by a few yards and look at course set-up.”

McGinley was speaking in the room used by then captain Sam Torrance for team meetings at the 2002 Ryder Cup.

“This brings back lots of memories in itself. I learnt a lot of things about life in this room, and there was a lot said that had a profound effect on me.”

Quinn Direct have become sponsors of the event for the next three years, with prize money this May of £1.8m (€2.6m) .

McGinley’s manager Andrew Chandler, whose company International Sports Management are staging the event, said: “Sponsorship is pretty difficult right now.

“To put on a £1m (€1.46m) tournament would not be that difficult, but £1.8m (€2.6m) is a reflection of Quinn’s commitment.

“I think we will have a pretty good field.”

It is bound to attract most of the Ryder Cup contenders – and there are also hopes that Ernie Els, now an ISM client, might play.