BMW International Open 2006

Briton Lee Westwood strengthened his case for a Cup wildcard with a 71 that pushed him within four strokes of leader Martin Erlandsson of Sweden, who carded a 68 for a nine-under total of 135.

A 72 by McGinley left the player who holed the winning putt in the 2002 Ryder Cup with an anxious wait to see whether he would be overtaken in the points table on Sunday night.

His closest rival for the 10th and final qualifying spot, Briton Paul Broadhurst, narrowly made the cut on 143.

The Englishman needs to finish in the top three to oust McGinley.

Johan Edfors, 12th in the table and lying six strokes off the pace, can also pass McGinley but the Swede needs to finish second on his own to overtake the Irishman.

If the absent Jose Maria Olazabal keeps his place in the team, McGinley will be safe.

"It will be extraordinary if I don't make it," McGinley told reporters. "Padraig has said that when qualifying is over I'll be all right and I hope he's right.

"I'm not a million miles away, it's not disastrous, but I am struggling at times. I shouldn't have got into this position, I've had a very, very poor year."

Playing partner Harrington said McGinley was guilty of "over-trying" on Friday.

"He's talking to balls in flight and definitely taking it a bit too much to heart," said Harrington after finishing on 140.

"I think he'll make it but a change of attitude will be better for him than any change of golf swing."

Suffering from tonsilitis and feeling the affects from medication, Westwood did well to battle back after his driver head broke on his first hole.

"If I'm anything like feeling good at the weekend I'm going all out to win," said the Briton.

Holder David Howell shared second place, a stroke behind Erlandsson, alongside Mattias Eliasson of Sweden, Dane Soren Hansen and Spain's Alejandro Canizares.

Ryder Cup certainties Luke Donald and Paul Casey were among a group of six players on 137 while Colin Montgomerie was on 138.

Montgomerie will put Olazabal's Cup place in jeopardy if the Briton finishes in the top 47.

"Don't blame me over Jose Maria," said Montgomerie. "I've qualified and I'm here to win the tournament."

The Ryder Cup in Ireland starts on Sept. 22.