Paul McGinley: the career of a Ryder Cup captain

Paul McGinley was born in Dublin, Ireland on December 16th, 1966.

He currently resides in Sunningdale with wife Alison and their three children.

Golf, perhaps, wasn't always in his designs as he played Gaelic Football until he was 18, when he broke his left kneecap.

It did, however, receive his full attention when he returned to mobility and, spurred on by the competitive spirit he loved in sport, he won the South of Ireland Championship in 1991.

He turned professional later that year and joined the European Tour in 1992. He won his first event four years later at the Hohe Brücke Open.

McGinley has won three European Tour events since 1996, including the Oki Pro-Am (1997), the Wales Open (2001) and the Volvo Masters (2005) but his success is further associated with the Ryder Cup.

He first took part in the renowned competition in 2002 at The Belfry and will be remembered as the man who retained the trophy for the Europeans after a ten-foot putt at the 18th hole ensured a half with Jim Furyk.

After that, he played on the winning side for the next two consecutive tournaments.

The 2004 Ryder Cup at Oaklands Hills CC saw McGinley beat Stewart Cink in the singles and also emerge victorious from foursomes alongside Padraig Harrington.  

In 2006, at The K Club, he halved his singles match with J.J.Henry and claimed a half alongside Harrington in the singles.

McGinley also adopted the role of vice captain in 2010 at Celtic Manor and 2012 at Medinah, both of which ended in emphatic victories.

He continues to play tournament golf, starting 2013 in the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship, but his hoards of fans will no doubt be excited to see him take the reins at Gleneagles after such incredible success in the trans-Atlantic showdown.