HE may be a Dubliner, but Paul McGinley’s roots lie in Co Donegal and there was delighted amongst friends and relatives in the county tonight with the announcement that he will captain the next Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles in 2014.
The 46-year-old played in three Ryder Cups, was vice-captain in 2010 and 2012 and holed the winning putt in 2002.
The Dubliner, whose mum and dad come from Dunfanaghy and Rathmullan, is a huge GAA fan and was right behind Jim McGuinness and his team last year.
He has also re-designed the Portsalon course in recent months.
McGinley was preferred to Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie, who captained a victorious European team in 2010 and wanted to fulfil the role again.
“This is a position I’m really thrilled to be in,” said the Dubliner, Ireland’s first captain.
“It’s also a very humbling experience and I can’t wait to get into the role of captain and to working with the players.”