McGinley says Ryder Cup is not his priority

ASH (Reuters) - Ryder Cup stalwart Paul McGinley is more concerned with returning to the elite of world golf than gaining a place in Europe's 2008 team.

The 41-year-old has experienced two and a half lean years since winning the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama in 2005 and is struggling at 134th in the world rankings.

"Getting back in the top-50 is more important than the Ryder Cup," McGinley told reporters after returning a 68 for a challenging seven-under total of 137 in the European Open second round at the London Club on Friday.

"That is my main goal this year. If the Ryder Cup comes along it will be a consequence of getting back in the top-50 and that's what I am focused on."

McGinley, who holed the winning putt for Europe at the Belfry in 2002 and also played in the victorious 2004 and 2006 teams, said he had to get rid of his tendency to make mistakes at the wrong time.

The Dubliner looked on course for a low round on Thursday before a bogey-double bogey finish left a sour taste in his mouth.

"I have to eliminate mistakes like I made yesterday," said McGinley. "I dropped three shots in two holes and you cannot afford to do that nowadays.

"These tournaments are very much a sprint, as you can see with the scoring here. This is a tough golf course and there's trouble all over the place yet 13-under-par is leading."

McGinley has had the occasional moment when he appeared set to recapture former glories.

He led by four strokes after two rounds of the PGA Championship at Wentworth in May only to fall away over the weekend.

"I seem to be on the comeback trail all the time," said McGinley. "I cannot seem to get ahead of the game.

"When things seem to be going right I finish like I did yesterday, or at Wentworth.

"Anyway I will keep fighting and bouncing back and see where I go."

Europe defend the Ryder Cup against the U.S. at Valhalla, Kentucky in September.

(Editing by Justin Palmer)