Tuesday 23 September 2014 14:12, UK
Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell practised in separate groups when Europe opened their preparations for the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles on Tuesday morning.
Captain Paul McGinley had cast doubt about putting the Northern Irish pair together when the event proper gets underway on Friday when he spoke to the media on Monday.
There has been talk of a feud between the former World Cup partners, with McIlroy involved in an ongoing court case with his former management company, the same company that currently looks after McDowell, although that was played down by McGinley and later by McDowell as well.
"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. "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)."
McIlroy and McDowell finished runners-up in the World Cup in 2009, and have a good record together in the Seve Trophy, but they have played six times together in the Ryder Cup and won only 2 1/2 points.
McGinley oversaw the first round of practice from their 11am tee-off times with McIlroy in the first group out, making up a three-ball alongside Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia.
McDowell was out in the final group with Henrik Stenson and Ryder Cup rookie Victor Dubuisson.
In between, Stephen Gallacher partnered experienced pair Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, with Jamie Donaldson sent out alongide Thomas Bjorn and Lee Westwood.
Tom Watson opted to send his team out in three fourballs starting with Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson.
Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson headed out with Hunter Mahan and Patrick Reed in the second group.
And Phil Mickelson was in the final group with likely partner Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.
Watch all the build up to Gleneagles on our dedicated Ryder Cup channel.
