Seve boost for Paul McGinley

Team player Paul McGinley got a timely ego boost from Seve Ballesteros for his amazing matchplay record.

The Dubliner, 40, played a vital role in Europe's 12.5 to 3.5 Royal Trophy win over Asia in Bangkok.

With his singles win over Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, McGinley is now unbeaten in seven singles matches in team matchplay events.

And skipper Ballesteros was not slow in giving the Irish star the credit he deserves.

Ballesteros said: "Paul is unbelievable. He has a tremendous record. I was very grateful to have him on the team. He is a great man and a great champion also."

McGinley maintained his unbeaten record in the Royal Trophy, dropping just half a point in the foursomes alongside Anthony Wall after winning all three of his matches in the inaugural edition last year.

Now his goal is to haul himself into the top 64 in the world rankings over the next four weeks so that he can earn his place in the WGC-Accenture Matchplay Championship in Tucson.

Reflecting on his win over Wiratchant, McGinley said: "I played a lot of really good golf and made six or seven birdies.

"I knew I would have to play well to beat him because he is a really good player. It was pleasing to win and obviously great that Europe won too."

McGinley has decided to spit this week's Abu Dhabi Championship in the Middle East but will return to action for back to back events in the Gulf.

Having slipped to 77th in the world, he will play next week's Commercialbank Qatar Masters and the Dubai Desert Classic before heading to the US to play in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am alongside Dermot Desmond.

Team man McGinley
2007 Royal Trophy bt Thaworn Wiratchant 2&1
2006 Ryder Cup halved with JJ Henry
2006 Royal Trophy bt Zhang Lian-wei 2 and 1
2005 Seve Trophy bt Miguel Angel Jimenez 1 hole
2004 Ryder Cup bt Stewart Cink 4 and 3
2002 Ryder Cup halved with Jim Furyk
2002 Seve Trophy bt Mathias Gronberg 4 and 3
P 7 W 5 H 2 L 0