McGinley set for Asian fling after dodging wrist surgery
Paul McGinley had his best finish of the season in the KLM Open. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePaul McGinley breathed a sigh of relief when he got the all clear on his crocked right wrist and discovered that his season is not over just yet.
The potential 2014 Ryder Cup skipper feared his season had ended prematurely when he was forced to pull out of the Andalucia Masters after badly jarring his wrist in the rough during the first round.
With his wrist heavily strapped for the trip home following his Valderrama drama, the world No 453 was worried he might need surgery. However, a scan revealed no serious damage and he now intends to play in Singapore and Malaysia before heading home for surgery on his right knee.
McGinley has known since early this year that he needed surgery to repair a cartilage tear and his eighth knee operation, and his second on his right knee, but he hopes to avoid Christmas on crutches this time around.
“My wrist is okay, McGinley said on Monday. “I had an MRI scan when I got back and while it’s bruised the moment I was able to chip and putt today.
“That’s good news so I intend to play in the Barclays Singapore Open next week and then the Iskandar Johor Open before coming home.
“I need an operation on my right knee to repair a cartilage tear but it’s minor surgery and I’ll have it after Malaysia and should be hitting balls again within a month.”
It’s been another season to forget for McGinley, who finished 123rd on the money list last season and was forced to use invitations and his exemption as one of the top 40 career earners on the European Tour to get starts.
The three-time Ryder Cup winner is 147th in this year’s Race to Dubai having made just nine of 21 cuts. His best performance of the season came in the KLM Open in September, where he finish sixth behind Simon Dyson at Hilversum.
McGinley will be joined in Singapore by Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey, Shane Lowry, Peter Lawrie and card strugglers Damien MGrane and Gareth Maybin.
The top 115 at the end of the season will keep their playing right but 106th ranked McGrane and 114th ranked Maybin are under pressure with just three events to go.