Paul McGinley declared his years of experience competing and being a vice-captain under four victorious European Ryder Cup captain’s is testimony his GB & I side is now just three points away from victory in the Vivendi Seve Trophy in France.
McGinley’s 10-man side head to the deciding Sunday Singles showdown leading by five points at 11 ½ compared to the Continental Europe’s 6 ½ points.
The GB & I team went into the Saturday morning ‘Greensomes’ ahead by 5 ½ to 4 ½ and the won the session by 3 ½ points to a 1/2 .
GB & I captain, Paul McGinley just three points from victory. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
McGinley’s side, spear-headed by England’s Simon Dyson, then finished out in front in the afternoon ‘Foursomes’ with Dyson chipping in for eagle at the 17th, for a 2 ½ to 1 ½ success.
It now sees the GB & I leading by five points and now needing to win just three points over the Jean Van de Velde Continental Europe side to retain the trophy, and also to win the event for the sixth occasion in a row.
McGinley’s career is highlighted by having played in three winning European Ryder Cups.
He holed the winning putt in 2002 at The Belfry under the leadership of Sam Torrance.
Two years later, McGinley was a member of Bernhard Langer’s victorious Oakland Hills winning team, and then in 2006 McGinley helped lead the Irish jubilation when Europe won at the K. Club under the leadership of Ian Woosnam.
And then last year, Colin Montgomerie invited the Dubliner to be one of his vice-captains at Celtic Manor.
“I’ve studied it over the years, and I’ve been involved over the years, and I’ve seen the mistakes that European teams have made and American teams have made down the years and I’ve learned,” said McGinley.
“I’ve learned from all those teams, and I’ve seen what works. I think I’ve been very blessed.
“I’ve been very blessed that I’m playing in an era that I played in an era when I played my best, that coincided with a huge peak in the success that we were having in team golf in Europe.
“So I was very fortunate I was in that era where we’re winning Ryder Cups one after the other.
State of play after three days. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“I’ve had nothing but good experiences in team events. I’ve really enjoyed them but I’ve also been lucky that I’ve been involved with players like Monty over the years, who has been on all of the teams, Darren, Westy, Poulter, that I’ve learned so much from.
“I’ve learned enormously from captains like Woosie, Langer, Seve, Ollie, Monty, Sam Torrance. I’ve played under them all and I’ve been very, very blessed that I’ve been ‑‑ I’ve learned a lot from all of those people involved.
“I’ve been lucky that I’ve been ‑‑ my golf, peak of my golf career so far has coincided with the success that we are having as a team, so I’ve learned a lot from that.”
However on a third day when Open champion Darren Clarke asked to stand down it was Simon Dyson who stood up and staked his claims for eventual Ryder Cup selection.
Dyson chipped-in for eagle at the 17th for he and Jamie Donaldson to that helped Europe go five points ahead.
Yorkshire born Dyson, who won last week’s KLM Open, is undefeated in competition in France.
Clarke stood aside after he and David Horsey were 2up mid-way in their match Saturday morning but ended up halving with the Swede pair of Peter Hanson and Alex Noren.
World No. 2 Lee Westwood then teamed with Horsey to win their afternoon encounter 4 & 3.
The third day ended on a sombre note with a tribute to Seve Ballesteros (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
It was just two months ago, Clarke captured golf’s oldest Major at Royal St. George’s but in his first Vivendi Seve Trophy event in nine years, Clarke has contributed just half-a-point in three matches.
“I volunteered to stand down and I’ve played enough of these matches to know when it’s right not to be playing,” said Clarke.
“I just haven’t been the races, just not at the races this week.”
All 20 players will be action Sunday for the Singles and with McGinley’s side needing three points to retain the title and deliever GB & I its sixth straight win in seven matches.
Also, the threat of thunderstorms will see play get underway early.
