Paul McGinley exclusive
2014 winning Europe Ryder Cup Captain and Sky Sports Golf Analyst Paul McGinley believes that Rory McIlroy could end his 10 year major drought in 2024. “I think Rory will win a major championship”, said McGinley. In the last eight major championships McIlroy had seven top 10 finishes which includes two runner-up’s at Augusta and Los Angeles Country Club. “I think it’s a matter of time and he has played very consistent over the last two or three years”, said McGinley. McIlroy started 2024 with a runner-up finish at Dubai Invitational and a win at Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Leona Maguire has been a part of two successful Europe Solheim Cup teams in both 2021 & 2023 and is also a multiple LPGA Tour winner. “I have followed her career very closely and I think she is a brillant player” , said McGinley. Maguire’s best major finish in 2023 was a tied 11th at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and McGinley believes 2024 could be a breakthrough year for the Cavan native. “I think she is ready to win a major”. Maguire’s best finish in 2024 so far is a tied 12th at Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
In 2023 Luke Donald was successful as Europe Ryder Cup Captain at Marco Simone and will be skipper again for 2025 edition. “I think it’s the right decision as a lot of players that could of potentially been captain are over with LIV”, said 2014 Europe Ryder Cup Captain. 2012 Ryder Cup was Europe’s last win in America. “He’s going to have a good chance to prove himself in a very difficult environment away from home”, said McGinley. It will be interesting to see how Bethpage Black sets up for 2025 Ryder Cup as only seven players finished under par in 2019 PGA Championship.
USA still have to announce their 2025 Ryder Cup Captain and Tiger Woods is a possible candidate due to been a vice-captain in 2018. “I think Woods has a chance but I’m not sure if he is going to do it”, said McGinley. Tiger Woods played his first tournament in seven months at 2023 Hero World Challenge. “I think he has the last throw of the dice in terms of his career coming back from his latest injury”, said Sky Sports Golf Analyst. This week’s Genesis Invitational will be Woods first start of 2024. “Oh yeah of course fingers crossed for him that he can get lots of preparation in between now and the Masters”, said McGinley.
Over the last three years a breakaway tour called LIV Golf was created and McGinley believes this has divided professional golf. “The real losers is the fan because we have a diluted product”.
Over the last couple of months two-time major champion Jon Rahm, 2023 DP World Tour Player Of The Year Adrian Meronk and 2020 BMW PGA Championship winner Tyrrell Hatton have all joined LIV Tour. “Yeah it’s always a possibility they are not afraid in getting out the check book”, said McGinley. LIV Tour have played two tournaments in 2024 and one of them ran the same weekend as PGA Tour Signature Event AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund failed to reach an agreement regarding merger on deadline date of December 31st 2023. “They have got a date in mind of maybe doing it by the Masters in April”, said McGinley. Several major champions have left PGA Tour for LIV and McGinley would like to see all players back together. “Do some kind of deal try to unite the game again”. The four majors in 2024 will be an opportunity to watch Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith.
Ludvig Aberg turned professional in 2023 and has already won on DP World Tour & PGA Tour and played in a Ryder Cup. “Not alone is he a great player but he plays a very simple uncomplicated game”, said Irishman. Aberg is currently 24 years old and is 11th in World Golf Rankings. “He is a guy that you have to put your money on to be a real superstar”, said McGinley. Aberg’s best finish so far in 2024 was a runner-up at Pebble Beach Pro-Am.