Tuesday 23 September 2014 07:53, UK
European captain Paul McGinley insists Rory McIlroy will be fresh and raring to go when the 40th Ryder Cup gets under way at Gleneagles on Friday, but hinted that Graeme McDowell may not be alongside him when it does.
McIlroy and McDowell have been regular partners in team events since 2009, winning three of their four matches in the Seve Trophy and also representing Ireland in the World Cup that year and 2011.
The Northern Irish duo have also played six times together in the Ryder Cup, including the very first match at Medinah two years ago, and would seemingly make an obvious pairing at Gleneagles.
McIlroy's ongoing court case with his former management company put a strain on their relationship as McDowell was also represented by the same firm, but, with both players insisting that would not be a factor this week, McGinley revealed other concerns.
"Both of them have assured me all along that there are no issues and that's the way I've always seen it," McGinley said at his press conference on Monday afternoon. "Whether they come together or not is another story.
"Three or four months ago, I had a very strong view that they would have been, but the more I look at their statistics and the more I look at the different value I have with them, I'm thinking there may be value in not doing it.
"If I don't decide to play them, it would be for tactical reasons. They have played six Ryder Cup matches and they have only won two together (losing three and halving one). It's not like these guys are written in stone. They are not a formidable fourball pairing that's unbeatable (both wins have come in foursomes)."
McDowell was the last member of the European team to arrive at Gleneagles on Monday afternoon, while McIlroy turned up on Sunday after a week off following the Tour Championship.
Despite saying he was in need of a rest, the 25-year-old kept himself busy with various sponsorship and social events, but McGinley added: "I don't have any concern. He hit balls yesterday and got a real good break away from golf.
"Resting doesn't always necessarily mean lying in bed for the week or lying by the pool. I think getting out and doing different things he's been doing, having fun, like going to the boxing the other day, and doing that Goals on Sunday (programme) too - those are things he enjoys doing.
"He arrived yesterday afternoon, had a nice session with his coach and again this morning, so he's fresh, he's ready."
Watch all the build-up and live action on Sky Sports dedicated Ryder Cup Channel
