McGinley, Howell gear up for a swing at golf’s biggest payday

PAUL McGINLEY and David Howell are both in line now for a shot at £1 million (€1.47m) - the richest prize in golf - at the HSBC world match play championship at Wentworth next month.

Two places are on offer off the European Order of Merit after this week’s event in Germany and by finishing third and sixth respectively at the NEC world championship on Sunday, the Ryder Cup team-mates are odds-on to take them.

And Luke Donald, who tied with Howell, has already been told he is in the 16-man Wentworth line-up.

Ten spots were based on performances in the majors this year and although Donald finished only 15th, several players - including the world’s top three Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson - are thought to be turning down their invitations.

The tournament is also without defending champion Ernie Els, who is recovering from knee surgery, but further European interest is provided by Colin Montgomerie, Thomas Bjorn and Kenneth Ferrie.