Irish Open There wasn't a trace of self-pity, just an honest appraisal of a round that allowed Paul McGinley to climb to eight under for the tournament and a tie for fifth place in the Nissan Irish Open that guaranteed a cheque for 68,020. John O'Sullivan reports from Baltray

His two under the card 70 was hewn from a Baltray links that yielded up 16 pars and two birdies; unspectacular but a monument to graft and attitude. Playing in the second-last group the Irishman needed to avail of the birdie opportunities that present themselves over the first six holes. Apart from the fourth, that task proved beyond him.

"I didn't get off to a good start and create momentum. Padraig did and that's why he has had a good round. Baltray is about the par threes and par fives. I have played the par threes magnificently, probably under par but I'm only four under for the par fives and that is where I have lost ground to the field.

"It was a great week as an Irishman with my connections here. It was great to see the golf course stand up so well and secondly, to be out in one of the last groups with a chance to win on the last day. It didn't look like it at one stage during the week so I have to be pleased."

He was philosophical about his lukewarm start in the scoring stakes. "You can't really get frustrated because I didn't hit good enough shots. I missed the fairway at the second and drew a bad lie so couldn't get home in two. At the third I missed the green right and I'm playing here long enough to realise that you can't miss the green right.

"I drove the fourth green and made birdie. I was only hitting a six-iron into the sixth. I should have got up and down as I had a relatively straightforward pitch but I didn't. I have no complaints. My last bogey was the third hole in the third round. I hit 16 greens in regulation (today). I've got to be pleased."

Inevitably conversation strayed to the forthcoming Ryder Cup, an obvious topic given McGinley's crucial part in Europe's success at the Belfry. "I need to create some momentum and nearly did this week. There's another month to go in this Ryder Cup (race) and I'll see what happens."

His fifth place this week might just earn him a place in the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits next month, the fourth major of the season, if he can sneak into the Top 100 on the world rankings.

"I'm moving up the world rankings and if I get into the top 100 then that might get me invited to (US) PGA Championship and I'll have accomplished one thing this week.

"I have to wait and see if the USGA think the same as I do."

"I'm still a long way off the (Ryder Cup) team, I'm not on the borders. I need a big cheque. I need to perform really well in the next four weeks and not well like I have done this week. It has to be spectacular. If I do it great, if I don't, well it won't be for lack of trying."

McGinley heads for Sweden and the Scandinavian Masters but not before a trip to the Belfry today and a company day for the England rugby team.

"I'm really looking forward to that," he laughed. No harm, though, in a little Ryder Cup nostalgia to fuel his ambition for the coming weeks.