McGinley hails high-standard Tour

Paul McGinley lauded the standard of the European Tour as “incredible” following a sensational third round at the Ballantine’s Championship which saw low scoring and a jam-packed leaderboard.

Graeme McDowell and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh led the way with 66 and 64 respectively to take the joint lead on 18-under-par going into tomorrow’s final round at Pinx Golf Club, Jeju Island in the inaugural European Tour event to be played in South Korea.

The 41-year-old McGinley – a veteran of three Ryder Cup triumphs and a four-time winner on the European Tour – was third on 14-under after a second successive 67 while compatriot Padraig Harrington was two shots further back.

McDowell and Singh carded 15 birdies and one eagle between them to exploit glorious conditions and McGinley believes the day’s play epitomised the level of ability now displayed on Tour.

“The standard on Tour is just unbelievably strong – it’s incredible,” said the Dubliner, who is chasing his first title since the 2005 Volvo Masters.

“The cuts are much lower than you think and the winning score is much lower than you think.

“With the standard now, it’s just so difficult to win on Tour.”

McGinley, who opened with a 68 before signing for a 67 in round two, had hoped to reduce the gap to overnight leader McDowell, but he increased his advantage, with Singh’s 64 allowing him to go level at the summit.

It could have been better for McDowell, from Portrush, as he double-bogeyed the last to concede a two-stroke advantage to his playing partner Singh.

And McGinley feels the four-shot cushion could prove insurmountable.

He said: “As I said yesterday, if I’m going to win I’m going to have to play really well – I’ve played well but not really well and tomorrow I’m going to have to play unbelievably well.

“All I’m concerned about is me – if I play better, you never know what might happen.”

Harrington, The Open champion, concurred.

“I hoped to gain on the leader today and not fall further behind,” he said.

“But if I was ahead or behind I would still be trying just the same. No matter what I do tomorrow, it’s still outside my hands, which is a pity.”