Muscle man Paul McGinley will copy Tiger Woods and attack Muirfield with his one iron tomorrow.

The Dubliner feels he can fire the ball up to 300 yards with the longest iron in the bag after adding 30 yards to his game in the space of three years.

"I've put the one iron in and taken out he five wood because the one iron is going to be a key this week," said McGinley.

"There are a lot of one-iron tee shots because there are bunkers at 280 yards from the tee and you might want to stay short of them."

"It makes sense around here, but obviously a lot will depend on the wind."

McGinley is also happier in himself after breaking a run of missed cuts with a top 20 place in Loch Lomond last weekend.

But he is worried that the extra long rough will force him to leave the driver in the bag.

"The strange thing they have done with the course is made the longer holes particularly tight - one, ten and 18 are the three tightest tee shots and yet they are the three longest par four holes.

"The par threes are great, probably the best par threes in any championship. You have to hit four, five or six irons compared to the three-wood or two-iron par threes we play these days.

"The rough is savage and if you miss the first cut it's a chip out job. The wind will also be key this week with regard to club selection."

At the 449 yard 18th, McGinley hit a one-iron off the tee and a six iron to the green yesterday. On Monday he hit a driver and a four iron.

Added McGinley: "It's an old style golf course and the skill level is a major factor. It's not one of those long courses where you hit it and then find it and hit it again. This is what make these courses so great and the skill level is going to be tested and the most skilful player will win this week."

McGinley has been drawn with Japan's Toru Taniguchi and American Dudley Hart for the first two rounds, starting at 8.06 tomorrow.

But he doesn't believe the early draw will make any difference.

"It's all the same. It doesn't bother me because everyone is late and early one day or other."

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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