Three-time Ryder Cup winner Paul McGinley is still hopeful of making his fourth consecutive European team at Valhalla next month.
The Irishman, who famously sank the winning putt for Europe at the Belfry in 2002 and also tasted victory in 2004 and 2006, gave his hopes of making it on to the team to face the Americans in Kentucky a shot in the arm with a three-under-par second-round 67 on Friday at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Having started at level par, he moved to within three shots of early clubhouse leader Phil Mickelson at the Firestone Country Club, where he is competing courtesy of his 2006 Ryder Cup team membership.
"I played really well," McGinley said. "There was a lot of quality there today and I'm obviously pleased."
With five top-10 finishes on the European Tour this year McGinley is 36th on the Order of Merit, and 30th on the European points list for next month's Ryder Cup, leaving him on the outside looking in as far making the team is concerned.
"I've been playing like this all year, to be honest," he claimed.
"Unless you win, first or second, you're not really climbing in the world rankings.
"Finish seventh or eighth in a European event and I'm going up four or five spots in the rankings. At 120th there's a lot of climbs. You've got to win, win or second. That's where all the points are. You put in a big cheque at 300,000 points.
"Look at (Ian) Poulter at the British Open, he was tied with me basically in the same position in Ryder Cup points, and all of a sudden 700,000 euros or 600,000 euros (for coming second). I haven't had that so far, and I've always said that's what you've got to do."
McGinley recognises the odds are against him.
"I'm so far behind money-wise, I've missed so much, but any kind of form over the next four weeks could put me in contention. It's a long shot to be honest but we'll see," he said.
"You never know, a month of form and you never know what could happen."
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