IT WAS at the BMW International Open in Munich two years ago that Paul McGinley finished sixth and sealed his place in the Europe Ryder Cup team that went on to thrash the United States at Oakland Hills, near Detroit.
And it was at the same tournament yesterday that, barring a freak result over the weekend, the Irishman realised his dream of playing in his third Ryder Cup — in front of his countrymen at the K Club, Co Kildare, this month.
The contrast between the McGinley of 2004 and 2006, however, could not be more stark. Then, he played ten tournaments on the trot in a gargantuan effort to qualify for the team; he achieved his task and was rightly proud.
This time he has almost certainly got there with two rounds to spare, but having missed the halfway cut after rounds of 75 and 72 over the Nord-Eichenried course, he was in no mood to gloat, giving the impression of a player deeply disturbed with his game and with just three weeks to find an answer to a slump in form.
In reality, McGinley — who sank the winning putt at The Belfry in 2002 — should have tied up his place months ago. After winning the Volvo Masters, and with it £450,000 in prize money, last October, he knew he needed just an average season to claim one of ten automatic qualifying spots. But he has had just one top ten finish since January and looks to have crossed the finishing line with little to spare.
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“I did my best, but it’s not good enough,” he said. “Two years ago I had a hell of a lot more pressure and I came through it, so it’s not the pressure. I’m struggling with my game, I’ve lost my confidence, my feel for my swing and my putting is mediocre.”
Padraig Harrington, who had a second successive round of 70, also secured his place in the team and then turned his thoughts to McGinley, his friend and countryman who, he said, was too hard on himself.
“To see him banging his club on the ground and talking to the ball in midair, that’s not like Paul,” he said. “It’s all to do with his frame of mind. A change of attitude could be far better than a change in his golf swing.”
Starting from today, however, McGinley is planning to join up with Bob Torrance, his coach, in an attempt to find a solution to his problem.
The only scenario in which McGinley would not qualify would be if Colin Montgomerie finished outside the top 47 — after his second round he was lying twelfth on six under par — and either Paul Broadhurst finished in the top three or Johan Edfors finished first or second. With Broadhurst eight shots off the lead held by Martin Erlandsson, of Sweden, and Edfors five behind with 40 players between him and the leader, there seems no chance.
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José María Olazábal’s gamble in not playing also looks like paying off, which means he would take the tenth and final automatic qualifying spot.
Among those hoping for one of Ian Woosnam’s two wild-card choices, Ian Poulter would have been kicking himself for missing the cut on two over par, while Lee Westwood, who almost pulled out because of tonsillitis, has done all that could have been asked of him and lies on 139, five under par, after a round of 71.
Thomas Björn is another who should be in Woosnam’s thoughts. Björn started the week needing to win the tournament to have any chance of qualifying automatically and is on four under par going into the weekend.
“I think Woosie should pick Darren (Clarke),” Björn said. “But he does have a dilemma. I’m sure that he could put any of Darren, Lee or me on the first tee and not have any worries. The thing is he’s kept it very quiet. I have no idea what he’s thinking.”
There was good form, too, among the other Ryder Cup players. David Howell had a round of 68 to get to eight under par, with Luke Donald and Paul Casey one stroke farther back.
RYDER CUP COUNTDOWN
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As things stand, the Europe team for the K Club will be:
1, Luke Donald (Eng)
2, Sergio García (Sp)
3, Henrik Stenson (Swe)
4; David Howell (Eng)
5, Colin Montgomerie (Scot)
6, Robert Karlsson (Swe)
7, Paul Casey (Eng)
8, Padraig Harrington (Ire)
9, Paul McGinley (Ire)
10, José María Olazábal (Sp)
Certain wildcard: Darren Clarke (N Ire)
Probable wildcard: Lee Westwood (Eng)
Possible wildcard: Thomas Björn (Den)
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LEADERS AFTER TWO ROUNDS IN MUNICH: 135: M Erlandsson (Swe) 67, 68. 136: A Cañizares (Sp) 71, 65; M Eliasson (Swe) 70, 66; S Hansen (Den) 70, 66; D Howell 67, 69. 137: D McGrane 69, 68; G Houston 67, 70; R-J Derksen (Neth) 69, 68; M Cayeux (Zim) 71, 66; L Donald 68, 69; P Casey 70, 67. 138: M Millar (Aus) 68, 70; N Colsaerts (Bel) 70, 68; B Dredge 68, 70; F Widmark (Swe) 69, 69; C Montgomerie 70, 68; M Siem (Ger) 68, 70; R González (Arg) 69, 69; S Wakefield 69, 69. 139: S Khan 70, 69; P O’Malley (Aus) 71, 68; D Lynn 69, 70; L Westwood 68, 71; H Stenson (Swe) 71, 68; R Goosen (SA) 73, 66; D Drysdale 68, 71; D Bransdon (Aus) 70, 69; B Langer (Ger) 70, 69.