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Paul McGinley has been named the Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for September for his inspirational leadership of Europe’s emphatic 16½ - 11½ success against the United States in The 2014 Ryder Cup at The Gleneagles Hotel, in Scotland.
McGinley, who receives an engraved alms dish and a Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, earned high praise from his 12 team members, with Rory McIlroy, winner of four Major Championships and currently Number One in the 2014 Race to Dubai, declaring: “Paul left no stone unturned. He was just fantastic, absolutely immense from start to finish”.
The 47 year old Irishman, who holed the winning putt in The 2002 Ryder Cup, maintained an unbeaten record in the biennial competition having also been a playing member of the winning team in 2004 and 2006, and a vice captain in the 2010 and 2012 triumphs.
McGinley said: ““I feel like there are 12 winners of the Golfer of the Month Award rather than me, but I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of those 12 players who represented Europe so magnificently in The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. I’m very honoured and humbled to have been their Ryder Cup captain.”
The European Tour Golfer of the Month Panel, comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from television and radio, focused their attention on winning and exceptional performances on The European Tour International Schedule, and also considered outstanding performances by all European Tour Members worldwide.
Jamie Donaldson, who became the first Welshman to claim the winning point in The Ryder Cup and the first rookie to win three points since Justin Rose in 2008, finished tied fourth in the ISPS Handa Wales Open and tied seventh in the Omega European Masters, and in addition England’s Paul Casey (KLM Open), American David Lipsky (Omega European Masters) and Dutchman Joost Luiten (ISPS Handa Wales Open) were all winners on The European Tour International Schedule.
Derek Lawrenson, Golf Correspondent of the Daily Mail and Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “How good to see Paul Casey and Joost Luiten return to the winners’ circle in September. Here are two men who will surely come in for serious consideration for Europe’s next Ryder Cup team, while congratulations to David Lipsky for his fairytale success.
“But this was a month dominated by The Ryder Cup and it is only right the award should go to Captain Paul McGinley on behalf of the victorious European team, while also recognising the Irishman’s magnificent contribution to the 16½ - 11½ success. McGinley got his deserved reward for an 18 month stint where he performed the role with admirable diligence and immense patience and craft.”
James Haddock, Golf Reporter for Sky Sports News, said: “The style of Paul McGinley’s captaincy and his meticulous preparation and attention to detail have heralded a new era of how to do the job of leading the European team in The Ryder Cup. He got the best out of his players both physically and mentally. He led them into matches with a forensic approach that has now set the bar for all who follow him. It may not be a performance with clubs in his hands, but this was one of the most sparkling displays in Paul McGinley’s career.”
Iain Carter, BBC Golf Correspondent, said: “My vote goes to Paul McGinley. Quite simply he elevated the role of captain to a new level with his meticulous preparation to inspire Europe to a commanding and memorable victory.”
Spain’s Miguel Ângel Jiménez (December), Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher (January), France’s Victor Dubuisson (February), Welshman Jamie Donaldson (March), France’s Alexander Levy (April), Germany’s Martin Kaymer (June) and Northern Irishman McIlroy (May, July and August) have also won The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month awards this year. Sweden’s Henrik Stenson won the DP World Championship, Dubai in 2013 to secure the Number One spot in The 2013 Race to Dubai, following which he was voted The 2013 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year.
