Special K fires up McGinley

Early pacesetter Paul McGinley put himself back in contention to win The Open yesterday thanks to the inspiration of the Ryder Cup.

The Irishman,who hit the winning putt for the European team at The Belfry in 2002 and was one of the victorious team last year in his home country, was given the kick-start he needed at the second hole when he chipped in from beside sand near the green.

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With an army of Irish fans following his match with American Lucas Glover, the roar that greeted his birdie reverberated around the whole course.

"That roar was like the Ryder Cup at the K Club all over again," said McGinley, who got so carried away by it all that he threw his ball into the crowd.

The Dubliner went on to shoot a three under-par 68 and, had it not been for his 75 on Friday,could have been right at the top of the leaderboard, rubbing shoulders with Sergio Garcia after the third round.

McGinley is in a seven-way tie for third place at three under par and has set himself the target of achieving a top 10 finish for the first time, at his 15th Open.

But the experience of playing in three European teams alongside the Spaniard also leads McGinley to believe Garcia will not be caught today.

McGinley said: "I have played three Ryder Cups with Sergio and I hold him in the highest esteem. I know how big a heart he has when the going gets tough.

"I'm very pleased to have put myself back in contention and it's The Open and everyone knows that anything can happen on the last day. I'm one of perhaps 10 people who could still win it, but I'm very aware of what Sergio can do."

After spending most of the year in golf's doldrums, McGinley believes he is playing well enough to achieve that goal.

"I played my best golf of the year when I shot 67 on the first day, and although I slipped a bit on Friday, I still hit the ball well and I played as well again today," he said. "It's very satisfying to do it three rounds in a row."

Level with McGinley on three under par last night was fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington. He started his round with a 10-foot birdie putt at the first and went out in 33, but could only play the second nine in level par.

Also on the same score was 41-year-old Englishman Paul Broadhurst.His chances faded with a double-bogey seven at the sixth, but he clawed his way back to a 68 with an eagle three at the 14th.