The operation to correct a torn cartilage, ligament damage and chipping of the bone was conducted by knee surgeon Andy Unwin in Windsor just hours after an MRI scan revealed the damage to the Ryder Cup hero.
If McGinley passes his own fitness test early next week it will be his first tournament in five weeks after becoming acutely aware of the problem in Portugal.   “Mr Unwin, who is the knee surgeon to the Arsenal footballers and attends all their games, told me that there was so much damage it would have collapsed completely within a month if I hadn’t had the operation,” he said.
“It might be a bit of a risk coming back so quickly, but Mr. Unwin has been pleased and impressed at my progress and doesn’t think there will be any problem”.
McGinley believes his own intense fitness regime over the years has stood him in good stead for a full recovery.
“I was squatting in Dubai and came down badly on my knee, but didn’t think it was anything more than a muscle problem,” said the 37-year-old Dubliner, who lives in Sunningdale.
“I played three more tournaments and the knee swelled up after each one so there was obviously something wrong, but I had no idea it was as bad as it was.   Thankfully Mr Unwin has been able to put it right and I just can’t wait to get back into action”.
McGinley will face the cream of European golf as the Tour comes to Britain for the first time this season for its only stop in the Midlands.

 


Written by Martin Hardy of ISM Limited