It has left the 34-year-old Dubliner in 15th place in the Ryder Cup standings and with one eye on making Sam Torrance’s European side to face the United States at the Belfry in September.

And Torrance would certainly have been impressed if he had seen McGinley’s quickfire opening, with two pars followed by an eagle three on the par five 12th, his third hole of the day.

That gave him a share of the early lead on two under par alongside Wales’ Mark Mouland, who had birdied the second and third, and English duo Roger Winchester and David Lynn.

Lynn has been in superb form recently, securing his best ever finish on the tour by finishing runner-up to Ian Poulter in Morocco two weeks ago and already securing his card for next season.

Like McGinley he had also started on the back nine and birdies at the 11th and 13th put him in the four-way tie for the lead, one shot clear of a large group on one under.

That group included young amateur Nick Dougherty who impressed many by making the cut in Morocco in his fourth attempt at a professional event, the 18-year-old showing all the form that prompted Nick Faldo to take him under his wing three years ago.

Justin Rose was also one under after picking up his first birdie of the day on the 13th while Ian Woosnam, adjusting to life without long-term caddie Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey, was level par after three holes.