Paul McGinley took another small step on the arduous road back to the highest level when he plotted his way to an error-free, six-under-par 66 at the treacherous Real Sociedad Hípica Club de Campo to lurk just a stroke off the lead in the Madrid Masters. It was the first sub-70 round the 43-year-old Dubliner has posted for two months, leaving him tied for fourth place with Dutchman Maarten Lafeber on a day when England’s Luke Donald and the Welsh duo of Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies posted seven- under-par 65s to lead the field. Like the Welshmen, McGinley would love to play a leading role in Colin Montgomerie’s European team to take on the United States at Celtic Manor in October. Yet while Montgomerie is keen to have the dogged Dubliner by his side as a vice-captain, McGinley still clings to the hope he can play well enough this summer to be considered for one of the Scot’s three wildcards. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0528/1224271299288.html
