McGinley shares early Belfry lead
Paul McGinley gave himself another chance to turn his talent into titles with an opening six-under par 66 in the Benson and Hedges International Open at The Belfry today.
The 34-year-old Dubliner, 14th in the race for a place in Sam Torrance's Ryder Cup team back at the course in September, has earned over stg£2million in his 10-year European tour career.
But so far only two victories appear against his name - and the last of them was four seasons ago.
Five birdies and then a sparkling eagle made him and Swede Henrik Stenson the men to catch, however, at the start of the £1million event.
McGinley's eagle came on the 538-yard third, one of the holes re-designed in preparation for the visit of the Americans in four months' time.
From a par four it has changed to a par five with a lake short of the green and McGinley made light work of it with two great shots and then a 20-foot putt.
"I'm very pleased with my consistency, but I'm not going to make the Ryder Cup if I don't win.
"I've just got to be patient. I'm not very far away and hopefully I can use the way I've been playing as a springboard."
Stenson, winner of the Challenge Tour last season, birdied the last two holes to catch him, but among the later starters were Colin Montgomerie, defending champion Jose Maria Olazabal and Padraig Harrington, disqualified for a scoring error last year when five strokes clear of the field.
Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke, Europe's number one and number two last season and both stablemates of McGinley, were among those left with ground to make up.
But while Clarke, a winner in Japan two weeks ago, was happy with a three under 69, a rusty Westwood, playing just his sixth event of the year, managed only a 73 - and that after holing a bunker shot at his very first hole.
Warrenpoint's Paddy Gribben also made a fine start with a two-under opening round 70. The former Walker Cup player was invited to play at the Belfry following his top 10 finish in the French Open last week. Eamonn Darcy, has yet to start his round. PA