McIlroy and McDowell paired in practice

Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy will play together in Wednesday's practice

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy will play together in Wednesday's Ryder Cup practice

Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy will play together in Wednesday's practice as European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley continues to keep media and fans guessing.

On Monday, the he appeared to pour cold water on the prospect of a renewed Northern Irish partnership.

They played in separate groups on Tuesday and McDowell suggested in his subsequent press conference that he'd prefer to partner someone else.

That said, most of his comments were directed at fourball golf, and the 2010 US Open Champion did say he'd enjoy teaming up with the world number one in the foursomes.

"I think tactically, Rory and my golf dynamic has changed significantly from the first time we ever played together, when perhaps there was the older brother-younger brother leadership role. That's changed," said McDowell.

"He would now be the leader of the two of us and perhaps that dynamic doesn't work as well as it did in the past.

"Perhaps I am the kind of guy that needs that leadership role, or at least to feel on a level with the guy I am playing with."

The pair have an indifferent Ryder Cup record - 2.5 points from 6 matches - and McDowell admitted he struggled in the fourball format at Medinah.

"I found the better ball format very difficult. Rory likes to go first, I let him at it, and then I go second," added McDowell.

"He hits it 350 yards down the middle and I put my tee down thinking there's not a lot of point me hitting this tee shot. It didn't help my game much playing better ball with him."

However, McDowell still thinks the pair have a future together in foursomes.

"I think we can still play foursomes pretty well together. I love playing off his tee shot, as anyone would. Some 350 yards down the middle, that works."

It's clearly an option McGinley is contemplating, as his Wednesday practice groups would suggest.

The Ulstermen will play with Martin Kaymer and Victor Dubuisson, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose are in the second group and Thomas Bjorn, Lee Westwood, Stephen Gallacher and Jamie Donaldson are out third.

US groups are as follows:

- Zach Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson - Keegan Bradley, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker - Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x