Ep 155: Paul McGinley on the 2023 Ryder Cup, Rory, and Rahm

Jim Nance (0:01)

Hello, friends, it's Jim Nance, and it's my great pleasure to welcome you to Beyond the clubhouse, a podcast hosted by my friend, Garrett Johnston. He is a testament to one of the great things about this sport, the friendships that come from playing, or even just talking about the game. And you're gonna meet some of the characters that Garrett has gotten to know from this past decade plus, that he's been covering the sport. You're gonna hear from players, caddies, members of the media. You're gonna get the storytelling, the golf news, the players' swing tips, and a whole lot of laughs. It's coming your way with this edition of Beyond the clubhouse. Here's Garrett.

Garrett Johnston (0:40)

All right, what is happening this week, we got Paul McGinley on the podcast. Coming off the Ryder Cup, right? He's still part of the Ryder Cup Captains Committee, and he's a big part of, as you guys saw that week, Golf Channel live from coverage is a live analyst, Sky Sports as well, and of course, the 2014 winning captain for Team Europe. So we get into his thoughts. He's still very much a part of the back room of Team Europe. And so what was he thinking? Luke Donald and the boys got it done. What were his thoughts on the dynamics with Luke and how they get along? And of course, there's a lot of history with those two. They played together in Ryder Cups, literally in some matches, and he was meant to pick Luke. He was thinking about picking Luke in 2014 Didn't do it, had to make the phone call. So there's a lot that goes with it. Paul jokes that he feels bad that he didn't pick Luke, so he wants to help him so much with his captaincy. So we get into that. We also talk about future captains. Look ahead to Spina Fora to Beth Page. And what is he thinking about the European Team dynamic? Can they have this template that works? Can it translate onto the road? And what will happen in a crazy, rockous environment in New York? So we talk about that. We also mention, what are his thoughts on captains? Like, what are we going to see with Team Europe? What are they going to lean towards? What are his thoughts there? Can you get a repeat captaincy from Luke Donald? Is Tiger the main guy? Is he the go-to guy for the US team? Is it going to be a four-con conclusion? So we get into that as well. A lot of other things talk about Rory and of course his performance in the Ryder Cup and his performance in majors. John Rahm, and obviously there's so much impressive side to John Rahm that McGinley just loves seeing there. So there's a lot that we cover. Paul McGinley here on Beyond the clubhouse and we'll take it away here. Paul McGinley.

All right, I am now joined by my next guest. Pleased to be joined by Paul McGinley, 2014 winning Ryder Cup captain for Team Europe. Of course, he's won 10 times around the world, three time player in the Ryder Cup. And Paul, how you doing, man? What's going on?

Paul McGinley (2:43)

Yeah, I'm good. Thank you. Yeah, I'm all good. I'm back in Ireland here. Brought the weather from Italy back with me. We're having an Indian summer here at the end of the day, at the beginning of October.

Garrett Johnston (2:54)

Yeah, now it's crazy how so much happened at the Ryder Cup. There's so much to unpack. And I want to start with this, actually. You often talk about the might of America. You've got to be ready to weather the storm, the might of America.

And you, as a player in your prime in 2004, you took on the might of America and you beat it. Woods and love. Remember, you and Patrick Harrington, there on Saturday in the afternoon session. How did you, what was that like? Like, what do you remember from a big takedown of Tiger and Davis Love?

Paul McGinley (3:29)

Yeah, I mean, boy, oh boy, that was a great win for us. You know, I think Davis was three in the world at the time. Tiger was obviously in his pump.

And, yeah, you know, it was a week that went really well for Europe, obviously. Tiger started out playing with Phil, didn't go so well the first day, and then he put on with Davis on day two. And, yeah, I think we were two down after two, but Chisels are way back into it again. It was ultimate shot, it was forceful. And, yeah, you know, we played solid after the start, a rocky start, and, you know, they made a few mistakes. We made a few birdies, and we went off to win four and three. So, obviously, anytime you take out Tiger in any game, even if you are part of a partnership, it's a big deal.