McGinley corners market on optimism

Once upon a time, Paul McGinley hankered after playing for Dublin. A knee injury stopped those ambitions, however, but, even though he hasn't played a competitive match in almost 15 years, there are times when he has the look of a nifty little corner-forward who has tormented a defender. The grin is infectious, the eyes gleam and the step is that little bit bouncier. Yesterday, a scorcher in the foothills of Jerez, was one of those days.

Twenty four hours earlier, after playing in the pro-am, McGinley had bemoaned his ring-rustiness. Ten days away from the clubs, a week of it lying on the beach, had him searching for the missing ingredient in his swing. The problem, though, was one that tends to affect only the really good players. "My co-ordination wasn't good. It was a case of my body being too quick for my hands and arms to catch up," explained McGinley.

It's amazing what difference a day can make. On Wednesday evening, he spent some time on the range addressing the problem. By yesterday, when it really mattered, the sharpness was back; and, after an opening round 66 in the Volvo Masters left him in third position overnight, McGinley was bullish. "I knew what the problem was, what I had to work on. And, once I got a little more adrenalin, which you simply can't get in a pro-am, I was fine.

"I'm very pleased. It was a good, solid round of golf. I've never performed well around here, so it is nice to get away to a good start."

The Dubliner missed only one green in regulation - the 17th, where he overshot the putting surface but managed to make an up and down to keep a bogey-free card - but it was the quality of his striking, both off the tee and with his irons, that showed why he has matured into a really good player this season.

Indeed, the way he played the 16th epitomised McGinley's progress. His drive off the tee was hit purely and sweetly, caught the right downhill bounce and finished up 350 yards away. He finished the job with a 6-iron approach to 20 feet, and rolled in the eagle putt.

Elsewhere, there were plenty of chances, and he converted four of them. On the third, he had 98 yards to the flag and hit a sand wedge approach to eight feet; on the fifth, he rolled in a 35 footer, and on the 10th he sank a seven footer. The eagle at the 16th was followed up with a sublime birdie on the last, where he hit a 9-iron to 15 feet.

Now, he has put himself into contention again; which is pretty much what he has been doing all season. So far, he has had 11 top-10 finishes (including one win, in the Wales Open) and the more you knock on the door, the greater the chance of it being opened.