Philip Reid talks to Paul McGinley who hopes to see an Irish winner at the British Open and, if all goes to his plans, it might just be himself

Year after year, the trail of torn betting dockets tells its own sorry tale. Only once, back in 1947 when Fred Daly won, has an Irishman claimed the famous claret jug. Most definitely, the odds - and history - are stacked against the six Irish players competing at Troon. And, yet, Paul McGinley, an optimist by nature, isn't entirely convinced that the weight of times past should be a factor.

"Things come in cycles," remarked the Dubliner, who is making his 12th British Open appearance. "It wasn't that long ago we had people asking when are we going to have an Irish winner on tour? Then they were asking when we'd have an Irish winner of an Irish event? That window's been closed, you don't have those arguments any more. It's the same with winning majors: you've got to knock on the door a while before you break through."

Can that breakthrough come this week? McGinley wouldn't be surprised if it did: "Padraig and Darren have been knocking on the door in terms of majors and both had chances to win," he says. "They haven't achieved it, but they've done really well. I honestly believe it only is a matter of time before that happens for one of them.

"Then, there's also the possibility for someone like me or Graeme McDowell having a good week and coming through and winning, just like Ben Curtis did last year. Anyone in this field can win this week. It's a question of being on form, and things going for you."

Of them all, though, McGinley is convinced the course at Troon suits Harrington. "Padraig's contended in all the majors, had top-five finishes. I think this course suits Padraig more than it does Darren. I know Darren did well in 1997, but if I remember rightly he had a really hot week with the putter. But this is a real scraper's course, and nobody scraps better than Padraig. When the wind blows on that back nine, you've really got to grind things out and there is nobody better in the game at doing that than Padraig."

Neither is McGinley fooled by the tales emanating from the Harrington stable, of neck strains and aches and pains. "He's at his best when he's like that. If he is happy, we're in trouble. If he is not injured, or if he's happy with his game, that's when you get worried. Padraig's the kind of guy where there always has to be something wrong, it takes the focus off his game. Once that happens, and people are talking about something else except him winning a tournament, he's happy. He is very clever. I believe it's a matter of time before he gets into contention and I wouldn't be surprised if it is this week."

For McGinley, who qualified through the International Qualifiers at Sunningdale a fortnight ago, he's back playing in a major for the first time this season.

"This is what it is all about," he insisted. "This is the highest echelon of golf and it is what you want to be part of. It hurts when I'm not in majors. Watching the Masters on TV and watching the US Open on TV hurts, it hurts when you know you're good enough to be there and you haven't qualified."

This week, McGinley has measured his preparations so that he will walk to the first tee feeling sharp. "I've tried to make sure I haven't overdone it, that I know the golf course in different winds and at the same time not to over-analyse things. I've over-prepared for majors before and got to the first tee depleted of energy."

If fate should decree that this is McGinley's time, his preparations have been designed to help him grasp the moment.