Player Profile: Paul McGinley

On Sunday Paul McGinley's European Ryder Cup Team emerged victorious after a weekend of golfing duels against the United States. This week's player profile takes a look at the European captain's distinguished golfing career as he celebrates one of its high points.

Early life

47-year-old McGinley was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He showed a keen interest in sport during his school years, playing high school soccer until a kneecap injury cut his football career short.

Turning to golf, McGinley approached the game with the dedication and selflessness of a team player – characteristics that would serve him well as an individual contender and team captain on the European circuit.

Professional career

After a relatively late start to his golfing career, McGinley joined the European Tour in 1992 – at the age of 25.

With technical skill and life experience on his side, he weathered the challenges of top-tier professional golf to card his first European Tour victory at the 1996 Hohe Brücke Open. The following season, McGinley triumphed by a margin of four strokes at the Oki Pro-Am, beating Iain Pyman for his second career victory.

After a quiet period of four seasons on the Tour, McGinley lifted the trophy again at the 2001 Wales Open, beating Paul Lawrie of Scotland and the Briton Daren Lee in a three-way playoff. His most recent win on the European Tour came in 2005, when he beat Spain's Sergio Garcia by two strokes at the Volvo Masters.

Success at the Ryder Cup

Sportsmanship and team spirit have always been close to McGinley's heart, and last week's European victory at the Ryder Cup was ample proof of the Irish veteran's leadership ability. As the first Irishman to lead the European team, McGinley brought his men together as they snatched yet another trophy from their American rivals.

Heading toward the final seasons of his career on the European Tour, Paul McGinley has much to be proud of. This talented player has distinguished himself at the top level of European golf and should continue his success on the senior circuit.

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