Paul McGinley: The Only Choice

Like most golf fans, I waited with waited breath last Tuesday as the European Tour Players’ Committee presided over the options for 2014 European Ryder Cup captain position. During their deliberations, the rumour mill went into overdrive. Some said Miguel Angel Jimenez had thrown his name into the hat at the last minute; some said Sandy Lyle was finally going to be given an opportunity; some said a captain with prior experience was on the committee’s wish list and some said nothing at all. Paul McGinley was one of those people. Whilst Monty preached endlessly in a last-ditch effort to seize the role, the Irishman waited patiently and put his faith in the belief that common sense would prevail. Fortunately it did, because McGinley – despite Monty’s numerous attributes – was the only man for the job.

Only choice

I fully understand Montgomerie’s approach, and recognise that an impassioned man with a unique affinity with the Ryder Cup will do almost anything to experience it again. Credibly, the Scotsman accepted the ‘unanimous’ decision of the committee with magnanimity and good grace. But really, was there any other way to react? Even he, on some level, probably knew that McGinley was the right man for the job.  He could well feature as a vice-captain, and a good choice that would be, but this is McGinley’s time, and how he deserves it.

Ryder Cup captaincy is something normally offered to a European who has excelled over the course of his golfing career. McGinley may have won four tournaments on the European Tour, but, in golfing terms, that only constitutes middle of the road. But it says so much about McGinley that he was chosen in spite of his record. Many spoke of the need to select a massive name to counteract the American appointment of Tom Watson, a golfing legend in every sense of the term. Utter nonsense. What we needed was a captain with the correct attributes, experience, tactical nous, popularity and, perhaps most importantly, the respect of everyone in the European golfing community. Welcome aboard, Paul.

Skills and records

Interestingly, McGinley hasn’t been on the losing side in the Ryder Cup or the Seve trophy as a player, captain or vice-captain. He led Great Britain and Ireland to two Seve Cup victories; he memorably holed the winning putt at Celtic Manor in 2002, the first of three consecutive Ryder Cup triumphs; he reacquainted himself with the competition as a vice-captain in 2010, when G-Mac clinched success at Celtic Manor, and he assumed the same post at Medinah, where Europe staged a scintillating final-day comeback to record an impossible victory.

Over the years, the 46-year-old has accrued considerable experience, which, when coupled with an astute tactical brain, an eye for detail, man-management skills and peer reverence, amounts to a model captain. McGinley is a self-confessed neurotic when it comes to studying detail, scrutinising information and studying the opposition. He is meticulous in his preparation, he takes lessons from other disciplines and he is well versed in the psychology of sport. What is so rare, though, is that he maintains impressive motivational and interpersonal skills, not something normally associated with someone with such an analytical and tactical brain.

Worldwide response

McGinley said he woke up on Wednesday to find more than 300 text messages from the golfing community. Since his Players’ Committee made their decision, the Irishman has frequently talked about being extremely humbled by all the well wishers and messages of support. The fact is, though, that being held in such esteem by your peers is a product of how you conduct yourself both on and off the course.

After his appointment, many took to twitter to voice their approval.

Rory McIlroy: “Common sense prevailed in the end... Paul McGinley 2014 European Ryder Cup captain!!! Couldn’t be happier for him.”

Ian Poulter: “Paul McGinley Ryder Cup captain truly really happy that he has been given the opportunity to captain the 2014 Ryder Cup team.”

Paul Lawrie: “Huge congrats to Paul McGinley Ryder Cup 2014 captain. Hope I’m in your team.”

Edoardo Molinari: “I am sure that Paul will be a fantastic captain. Well done to him... and now it’s time to work even harder to be part of his team.”

The level of support from prospective members of his team must be humbling indeed, but I’d hazard a guess that two further tweets meant more. Support from your own team is one thing, but support from legends of the game is another.

Gary Player, a nine-time major champion, tweeted: “Congrats to Irishman Paul McGinley on being selected as European Ryder Cup captain for 2014. Team player, players’ choice, my best.”

His message of support was followed shortly by one from Tom Watson, the 2014 USA captain.

“Congrats to Paul McGinley on your R/C captaincy. Looking forward to our future competition. You’re a class act.”

Peer reverence

Despite all his qualities, as per Player’s assertion, it was McGinley’s popularity with the players that clinched the deal – something that underpinned his whole campaign. Indeed, McGinley himself cited the support of Rory McIlroy as a significant factor. Some have suggested members of the 2012 Ryder Cup team were too vocal in voicing their support, but how can we be critical when the captain is chosen by a players’ committee? The fact of the matter is that if you receive the unabridged support of McIlroy, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter – golfers who have played under a whole host of captains throughout their careers – you are doing something very right. As I’ve mentioned, McGinley stayed quiet in the lead up to the announcement; he knew he had every attribute needed to be a phenomenal captain, and, significantly, that the best European golfers in the world shared that opinion.

Simply put, selecting McGinley was the only choice to make. I suspect in their heart of hearts, both Darren Clarke – who withdrew a week before the announcement – and Monty – who must be commended for his magnanimity – knew this as well. McGinley is a fine leader, a born winner, a shrewd tactician, a meticulous planner, a hugely experienced and respected golfer and a brilliant motivator and man-manager. It is also pleasing to see recognition that you can be the best of captains without reaching such heights as a player. All that remains is to laud the committee for making the correct decision, and to wish McGinely the best of luck at Gleaneagles in 2014.