Paul McGinley captains pro golfers to victory at Abu Dhabi Invitational

Paul McGinley led from the front and contributed one of 13 points to his team.

Paul McGinley underlined his captaincy credentials once again after leading a team of professional golfers to a resounding win over a celebrity all-stars team at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Invitational.

The Irishman, who famously led Europe to victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup, beat celebrity captain and Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel 3&2 to add gloss to a scoreline which read 13-6 in favour of the professionals at the Yas Links Golf Club.

The contest, which was played in a Ryder Cup-style match play format, saw 19 Tour pros and 19 celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment each paired with VIP guests.

The star-studded guest list included ex footballers Dwight Yorke and Ruud Gullit, cricketers James Anderson, Brian Lara and Jacques Kallis, and rugby union World Cup winners Mike Tindall and David Campese.

However, the celebrities were unable to keep up with their professional counterparts, who all played off a handicap of +5 on the Middle East’s only links course.

The event helped to raise money for both captain’s charities, with McGinley’s team playing for The McGinley Foundation.

Matt Fitzpatrick, Ian Poulter and Thomas Pieters were among the big names in action, and all three will return to competitive action this week when they head to the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.

The field for the final leg of the European Tour ‘desert swing’ also includes Tiger Woods, who will be hoping to bounce back after missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Rory McIlroy remains absent as he continues to recover from a stress fracture to his rib.