Paul McGinley

When you started playing golf, was there a moment where someone did something that left a lasting impression?

I remember my Dad, the first time I ever played my first competition. The night before, he said to me, ‘I don’t care how you do or how you play, the important thing is you do it in the right way and more than anything else, you don’t cheat.' That had a big impression on me, that you must play the game with honour, and I feel that’s what I’ve done throughout my career.

I think the worst reputation that a player can ever have on a golf course is having questionable ethics when it comes to the rules. So I’ve been clear and adamant about this, and unfortunately I’ve had to call a lot of shots on myself over the years where I have slightly broken the rules and immediately called a penalty on myself. I have never forgotten that lesson.

Do you think there are as wide a range of personalities today on the European Tour as there were before?

Not as much, but history makes personalities. I think the more success Europeans have internationally, the more and more characters will start to emerge. We’re still early yet. I think we’re still very young. Europe is still very young in terms of dominating the world and winning several major championships. I think that’s going to come in the future.

Everyone talks about Rory McIlroy’s talent, but what’s your opinion of his inner character?

For a guy so young, he’s showed incredible maturity. It was very important for him and for his career that he bounced back as quickly as he did after the Masters last year, winning his very next major championship [ the US Open] was great. It was great to get that out of the way and not have the legacy of what happened in Augusta hang over him for the next few months or few years. I think he’s done really well to recover from that so quickly and put that issue to bed.

How would your fellow players describe Paul McGinley?

I don’t know. I would like to think honourable … and professional. I try to get the most out of my talent and achieve the most I can on a consistent basis. That’s what I’d like to think, anyway.

Overall, are you happy with your career?

Yeah. I would have loved to have won more tournaments than I have done, but there’s still time yet and I’m still hopeful that I’ll have a flurry of wins before the end of my career. I’ve enjoyed playing and I’ve made a lot of money and had a lot of success over the years – well, not so much money but a lot of success and consistency over the years. I’ve performed well at all the major championships without wining any. I still enjoy it and that’s the most important thing.