Dutch Open: Paul McGinley won his latest Ryder Cup skirmish when he moved into the third round of the KLM Open at Kennemer while Paul Broadhurst, his nearest challenger for a place in captain Ian Woosnam's team, missed the cut
The 39-year-old Dubliner now believes the next two weeks in America, with the US PGA on the horizon, will decide the battle for a team berth at The K Club next month.
McGinley, who occupies the 10th and last automatic place in the Cup points league, had started on the 10th yesterday, and when he bogeyed the 17th and 18th holes was in real danger of missing the cut.
But he rallied coming home, recording birdies at the fifth and sixth to shoot a second-round 70 for level-par 142. The projected cut was one over par.
"It was a battle," McGinley admitted, who lies six shots behind clubhouse leader Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark midway through a second round which was completed yesterday after twice being interrupted by thunderstorms.
Ignacio Garrido, another former Ryder Cup player, had grabbed the on-course lead at eight under par after 11 holes of his second round.
"My short game was very poor," McGinley said. "If it had been normal I'd have been three or four shots better. I'm still there though, and you have to keep chiselling away and keep earning as many Ryder Cup points as you can.
"I'm going to have to make a couple of hundred thousand more. Somebody is going to do something, but the ball is in my court fortunately and the better I play the more pressure I put on them.
"I am looking at myself and I have to go forward because I have a lot of respect for the guys behind me.
"Thomas Bjorn was second in the US PGA last year, Lee Westwood is on a great run of form and guys like (Johan) Edfors have won three times this year. Playing in America next week will give him a big buzz, so there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before anything is decided."
McGinley is scheduled to play in all three of the remaining tournaments, but added: "It's about making it count. I have to play well. Somebody always catches fire.
"This is going to be the strongest European team ever, the points are already higher than everyone expected, I think they are 30 per cent up on last time, and it just shows you the quality of the tour.
"Nothing has come easy to me this season. I think I've missed six cuts by a single shot, two of those were in the US Open and Open Championship, and I also had my knee operation which set me back.
"I've not created any momentum and sometimes you have to do it the hard way. I've got to fight and work my way out of it.
"Woosie has spoken to me, but only as much as he's speaking to the other guys. He's done exactly what a captain should be doing, he's not been on your case but has been very supportive."
More than four hours' play was lost due to the two thunderstorms, meaning most of the afternoon starters would have to return to the course this morning to complete their second rounds.
Whatever about McGinley's concerns, another Irishman grabbed some of the spotlight yesterday. Damien McGrane shot a flawless, three-under-par 68 to get to five under overall for a share of fourth place.
Gary Murphy was next best on three under after a 70. Peter Lawrie shot a 71 to be a shot farther back. But David Higgins missed the cut on four over, and Michael Hoey needs to find a birdie or two this morning, as he was on two over par with four holes to play.
Meanwhile Broadhurst, lying in 11th place, shot a 76 which plunged him to seven-over-par 149 and left him unemployed at the weekend; and his 41st birthday on Monday is unlikely to compensate for that.
Guardian Service
