McGinley costs Europe new record

Paul McGinley is expecting stick for weeks and maybe months to come for conceding the putt which possibly denied the 2006 European Ryder Cup side a record-breaking feat.

With victory already assured, McGinley gave JJ Henry a 25-footer on the last after a streaker ventured onto the green and agreed a half even though he was in a great position to win his match.

If Henry had missed and the Dubliner had holed from under five feet, Europe would have set a new record margin of victory of 19-9.

“I’ll have a word with Paul McGinley,” joked European captain Ian Woosnam. “It could have been a record!”

The player replied: “Yes, it’s crossed my mind. I’ve been told on several occasions.

“But, you know, it was a gesture that was done in the right spirit. I’d been thinking about it before that clown, that streaker, came over.

“I asked Des (assistant captain Des Smyth) what to do. He wouldn’t make a decision on it. Thanks for helping me out, Des.

“I don’t want to make a big deal about it, to be honest. It was a great team performance – we won by a huge margin.”