European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has received an invitation to contest this year’s PGA Championship where fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy will defend the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy.

And while is now customary for the PGA of America, as organizers of both the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship, to offer rival captains an invitation, McGinley is delighted to be heading back to Oak Hill for a first time in a decade.

Paul McGinley delighted to be contesting this year’s PGA Championship

It will also be the Dubliner’s first PGA Championship since 2007.

“I knew when I became Ryder Cup captain I would receive an invitation to compete in the PGA Championship but then it was nice when the official invitation arrived in the mail,” said McGinley.

“I played in the 2003 PGA at Oak Hill so it will be nice to be going back there.

“And at this stage, and unless something dramatic happens, it is the only Major Championship I will be playing this year.”

In fact, unless McGinley qualifies on June 24th at Sunningdale for The Open then the PGA will be McGinley’s first Major appearance since the 2009 Open at Turnberry.

However McGinley indicated he will be present at the (British) Open Championship where he will meet USA Captain, Tom Watson for a first time since the American’s appointment as Gleneagles captain.

And McGinley’s father, Michael has spoken about the appointment of his son to Europe’s highest position and particularly the reaction from the Irish public in general.

“It’s just been fantastic the reaction in Ireland to Paul’s appointment, and not just from within golfing circles but every walk of life in Ireland,” he said.

“I know, more than most, how much Paul wanted this appointment but then to witness how well it has been received has made me very happy.”