Mark O'Meara predicts good times ahead for Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley, who he pushed into second place at the Dubai Desert Classic yesterday.
McGinley still has not won since his Belfry heroics two years ago, but former Masters and Open champion O'Meara played with him all four days at the Emirates Club and said: "I look for him to have a very big year in Europe and golf in general.
"He's a great competitor and he's swinging the club very, very well. He's also a class guy."
O'Meara himself celebrated his first big victory since his double major triumph year 1998 - he also won the Cisco World Match Play at Wentworth that season - and at 47 years and 54 days became the sixth oldest winner in European Tour history.
Having slumped from fourth in the world to 201st, O'Meara is making no predictions about adding to his two major titles, but the discovery of a new putting grip he calls "The Saw" has given him a new lease of life.
McGinley needed a boost as well after dropping from 35th to 159th on the world rankings and he hopes this is the springboard towards keeping his Ryder Cup place.
The Dubliner, who is taking part in the Abu Dhabi world sand championship today and then going on to the Qatar Masters starting on Thursday, was one behind with three to play, but bogeyed the 16th after driving behind a tree and could not grab the eagle he needed on the par-five last.
"It was a really good week, but I'm disappointed not to have won," he said. "We're in a competitive business and the difference between first and second is huge."