McGinley bidding to halt slide

Paul McGinley will tee it up in Spain this week determined to halt his slide down the world rankings.

With just a week to go before the Irish Open at Adare Manor, the Dubliner is desperately trying to find some form.

A missed cut in last week's 54-hole Italian Open saw McGinley slip five places to 113th in the latest world rankings and a lowly 109th in the Order of Merit.

But he will be one of the leading lights in action in this week's Valle Romano Open de Andalucia near Marbella.

Stablemate Lee Westwood, Irish Open champion Thomas Bjorn and Volvo Masters Jeev Milkha Singh will be amongst the favourites to lift the €166,660 top prize.

But all eyes will be on local hero Miguel Angel Jiménez, who is following in the footsteps of Bernhard Langer by headlining the field in his own tournament.

Jimenez said: "This is my first tournament as a promoter and I’m thrilled to play in the event as well

"Andalucia has sponsored me for many years and I have had the opportunity to play all around the world. This is a way of giving back for all the support they have given me."

McGinley will be joined in Spain by Damien McGrane and David Higgins.

On the Challenge Tour, Glasson's Colm Moriarty will be hoping to build on last week's EuroPro Tour win when he competes in the €130,000 Toulouse Open.

Tessali-Metaponto Open winner Michael Hoey will be going for his second Challenge Tour victory of the season alongside Michael McGeady and Stephen Browne.