ST. OMER, France (PA) -- Paul McGinley admits he would rather be playing at the U.S. Open than the St. Omer Open this week, but is hopeful the $1.2 million European Tour tournament will help him take a step closer to a Ryder Cup place.

The 41-year-old Irishman is still looking for his first win of the season and is way down the rankings for a slot in Europe's team, but he is aiming to "sharpen up" his game in France.

He showed glimpses of his old self in the opening two rounds of the BMW PGA Championship last month -- where he set a new record low 36-hole aggregate -- but then capitulated to finish 10th.

"Of course I'd prefer to be in Torrey Pines and if I'd played better in U.S. Open qualifying, I would be," said McGinley.

"But I didn't play (in Austria) last week and I wasn't planning on playing in the BMW (International Open), so if I hadn't played this week it would've meant three weeks off in the middle of the season, which isn't ideal," he expained. "So basically that's why I'm here, to sharpen my game."

McGinley has been part of the last three European Ryder Cup teams -- all victorious -- and asked whether he still feels he can secure a place this year, he said: "Yes, but at the moment I'm way off the pace.

"I need to start picking up very big checks, so I'll use this week as a stepping stone to getting my rhythm going and start feeling competitive," he added. "I still harbor hopes of making the team, of course I do. I just need one or two weeks in the next two months where things really go my way. Then I might have a chance.

"It's only a chance at the moment, but I live in hope."

Also in the field are Andrew Oldcorn, Andrew Coltart, Darren Fichardt, Steve Alker, Ian Garbutt, Iain Pyman, Joakim Haeggman and Lloyd Saltman.

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