McGinley banking on pride at World Cup
Paul McGinley is hoping that pride will come to the rescue as he partners Padraig Harrington in the WGC - Barbados World Cup.
Apart from the joy of the Ryder Cup, the Dubliner admits that it has been a season to forget as he crashed 50 places down the world rankings.
But the pride in all things Irish that helped him make a positive contribution at the K Club will stand to him again this week.
The Dubliner hasn't played a competitive round since he missed the cut in the Hong Kong Open more than two weeks ago.
But by joining forces with Harrington in the annual two-man team competition, he is still hoping to round off his year in style.
As he prepared to head from London to Barbados with Harrington in JP McManus' private jet, he said: "There is no doubt that 2006 has not been one of my better years yet when I look back at my career it will always stand out for the success of the Ryder Cup at the K Club last September.
"The World Cup is a tournament I have played in on many occasions in the past for Ireland and I am looking forward to renewing my partnership with Padraig, who has been in great form these last couple of months."
McGinley is mentally jaded after a season that saw him withdraw from the Irish Open to undergo knee surgery and then struggle badly to make the Ryder Cup side.
And while he feels he needs a good rest, he knows that his partnership with an in-form Harrington and his pride in representing his country could bring Ireland a third World Cup success this week.
The world No 71 added: "I am in the process of analysing my year, changing things around a little bit, looking at my mistakes and gearing up for next season.
"But first and foremost I feel I need a good rest over the Christmas break before I return to play in the Royal Trophy in Bangkok in January."
McGinley paid tribute to his partner this week for his "well deserved victory in the European Order of Merit" and "beating Tiger in play-off in Japan."
And that has made him doubly determined to justify Ireland's ranking as top seeds this week in the 24-nation World Cup at a very Irish Sandy Lane Resort.
Owners McManus and Dermot Desmond have pumped millions into upgrading the luxury Caribbean hideway since the bought the property in 1996.
The entire complex was demolished in 1997 and the Irish millionaire pair have since spent over $450 million on making it a playground for the rich and famous.
Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren exchanged their wedding vows there two years ago and McGinley and Harrington will be hoping for a similarly successful partnership this week.
Winners of the title at Kiawah Island in 1997, they face a tough task in the 24-nation event which will be played on the par 71 Country Club Course - famous for its Bajan Green Monkeys.
Defending champions Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd of Wales have combined for nine European Tour victories while Stephen Ames of Trinidad and Tobago, who partners his brother Robert, broke through in 2006 with the biggest victory of his career at The Players Championship.
Second seeds England will be the favourites in the eyes of many with world No 9 Luke Donald and No 16 David Howell hoping to add to English wins in 1998 and 2004.
Americans Stewart Cink and JJ Henry will be no strangers to some of the European sides after playing a leading role for the US in the Ryder Cup at the K Club.
But they too will fear Harrington, who is close to the top of his form despite slipping to third place behind winner Jim Furyk and Swede Henrik Stenson in the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City.
Ranked No 8 in the world, Harrington admitted that he "played and putted" badly in a final round 75 at the Gary Player Country Club.
The Dubliner had an incredible 22 putts and 13 single putts in a row in a third round 65 in South Africa.
That was just one shy of his career best in the Lancome Trophy in 1997 and if he rolls the ball as well this week, Ireland could be on a winner.