There were easily far more officials and photographers gathered around the Wales Open first tee then paying spectators when Paul McGinley hit the opening tee-shot of the 2014 Ryder Cup qualifying campaign.
McGinley was at the course soon after 6am in readiness for his 7.25am tee off on the Twenty-Ten course at Celtic Manor.
Before McGinley was handed his driver, he was handed the Ryder Cup for the quintessential photo shoot and in a scenario that’s been common practice in recent weeks for McGinley
The tall and the short at the Wales Open – Paul McGinley and Espen Kofstad. (Phoot – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
However the 46-year old McGinley soon found himself outgunned by a player 21 years his junior in giant Norwegian Espen Kofstad.
Kofstad had missed nine cuts in succession up until recently but last year’s top Challenge Tour graduate certainly impressed McGinley in completing his last four holes in five under and capped by holing a bunker shot for eagle at the last in a round of an eight-under par 64.
“Espen’s a massive hitter, hitting it a million miles off the tee,” said McGinley.
“I saw the same last week when I played the first two rounds with Shane Lowry and now I’ve seen it today with Espen.”
Despite an ever-growing demand on McGinley’s time off the course, including the extra task now of selecting a European Captain later this year for next March’s inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia, the Irishman, after posting a one under par 70, sounded relieved the 12-month Gleneagles qualifying period is under way. .
“It’s a sense of excitement that the Ryder Cup is up and running, and every shot now counts,” he said.
“And guys are very much focused now on the fact the Ryder Cup points have started, on both sides of the Atlantic, and it will give me a little bit more of an interest in watching the American golf at nighttime.
“But in saying that there’s no doubt challenges. Every captain in the past has told me that it’s extremely difficult to focus on your own game, and they have been proved right. I agree with them all, but I still don’t want to use it as an excuse.
“When I took the captaincy, I knew that was part of the deal that there would be a lot media and promotion, ambassadorial stuff for the Tour to be done, so I’m certainly not going to complain about it.”
In contrast to McGinley’s upbeat mood, Darren Clarke had good reason to complain after carding seven over par 78 and his second poorest round of the year.
Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin and Waterville’s David Higgins posted one over par 72s, a bearded Peter Lawrie was four over after just seven holes on route to a 73.
