McGinley plants marker

When an explorer ventures into unknown territory, maps and compasses and other aids are necessary for survival. Paul McGinley came into the unknown at Augusta National for his debut US Masters. He picked the brains of veterans who knew the course's nuances, those who could help him with the humps and hollows and slopes that are part and parcel of one of the game's great venues.

His reward for such diligence was an impressive top-20 finish, and a taste for more of the same.

An indication of McGinley's eagerness to get to Augusta is that he was the first player to register. As defending champion, Tiger Woods got the number one badge; McGinley's badge had number two on it. The rush to Georgia gave him the opportunity to familiarise himself and yesterday's round of 71 for level-par 288 showed that his preparations were very worthwhile.

These days, McGinley firmly believes he belongs among the game's top players.

"I think I arrived when I made the Ryder Cup team last year. That was a big breakthrough for me. Then, to come to the Masters for the first time, into a golf course that you're not familiar with, with game not as good as I wanted it to be, and then to perform really well gives me tremendous satisfaction," said McGinley.

He knows he has come a long way in recent years. "A couple of years ago," he said, "I would have missed the cut. Instead, I was able to hang in. I used the bad shots to my advantage. I think I actually get more satisfaction when you have to fight like hell, when its just not going for you, and when the bounces are not going your way.

"One of the great things about this game is learning to relish the challenge of playing badly because you're not going to play well every week."

Unlike previous years when much of his early-season focus brought him to Africa and Australia, the Dubliner's plans changed this year. A place in the world's top 50 ensured he would get his Masters invite and, also, opened the door to play in more events in the United States.

"It was a bit of a gamble," he conceded. "You're going to get your confidence kicked in - I compare it to being like a soccer team playing away from home and that is what I have been doing.

"I have been playing American-style golf courses that are really long, really wet, with different grasses and rough around the green. It is something I haven't experienced before, but I have responded and this is a very satisfying finish for me."

Yesterday's round started poorly, a bogey coming from a three-putt from the edge of the green at the first hole.

However, McGinley got the round going when rolling in a 40 footer on the fifth and, then, at the short sixth, hit a six-iron approach to eight feet for another birdie.

His capacity to battle was demonstrated when poor drives on the 10th and 11th led to bogeys. On the 12th, he used an eight-iron for a chip-and-run birdie and also birdied the 15th to get to one-under for the round.

On the last, he gamely made a sand-save to sign for a 71 and earn a "great play, Paul, see you in Europe" slap on the back from playing partner John Daly, who has taken up his European Tour membership this season.

Darren Clarke's high hopes failed to materialise, however. The Tyroneman finished with a 72 for one-over-par 289, which left him disappointed with his championship. "I had high hopes early in the week but I missed a lot of flags on the wrong side and you just can't do that around Augusta. My short game was not as sharp as it should be," he said.

Meanwhile, Michael Hoey is set to make his professional debut in a European Challenge Tour event in Italy next week. The Belfastman has joined the same IMG stable as Padraig Harrington and, as last year's British Amateur champion, should get up to seven sponsor's invites for full tour events.

Hoey finished as top amateur, but his failure to make the cut - he missed by one shot - meant he didn't receive the silver cup.