McGinley dangles Ryder Cup selection prize before Lowry

European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has thrown down the gauntlet to Shane Lowry to deliver a big US PGA Championship performance and push himself to the forefront of his team selection plans for Gleneagles in September.

There are only four more qualifying tournaments left before the nine automatic selections for Team Europe are decided after the Italian Open on August 31 but this week’s Major at Valhalla carries considerably more points than the events that follow and Lowry, 27, needs a strong showing to climb into contention and secure a Ryder Cup debut in less than eight weeks.

Lowry is in the form to do that having finished runner-up at Wentworth in May and tied for ninth place last time out at The Open. However, with Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood currently also outside the automatic places, the European skipper stressed the need for more fireworks this week from his fellow Irishman.