Golf comes second for McGinley

Players and caddies wore black ribbons as a mark of respect in the KLM Open in Zandvoort today, following the death of Darren Clarke’s wife Heather after a long battle with cancer.

Close friend Paul McGinley has pulled out of the US PGA Championship to attend the funeral, denting his hopes of a Ryder Cup place.

“Our two families are very much intertwined, obviously me and Darren out here, but Heather and Ali (McGinley’s wife) were the best of friends and our kids are in the same class at school,” McGinley said after a final round 70.

“It is a tough, tough time for us all. I’m glad that round is over and I have pulled out of next week’s US PGA Championship to attend the funeral.

McGinley is in the 10th and last automatic selection spot in Europe’s Ryder Cup table and could be knocked down the table because of his decision not to go to Medinah.

It leaves him with just two more events – the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio and BMW International in Munich, both of which he intends to play – to clinch his third cap and avoid the need for a wild card.

“Some things are more important than the Ryder Cup and this is one of them,” added McGinley, who holed the winning putt at The Belfry in 2002 and was unbeaten in the record-breaking victory at Oakland Hills in 2004.

“It was not really a big decision, it was a decision I made quite easily to be honest and I’m not the one to have sympathy for.”

Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam said he could understand McGinley’s decision, but did add: “Would Heather want Paul to do that? I can understand what he is doing. That’s up to Paul, he is very close to the family.”

George O’Grady, executive director of the European Tour, said: “Everyone connected with the Tour will be immensely saddened by this news.

“We extend our deepest sympathy, our thoughts and our prayers to Darren, Tyrone and Conor and the families.”