Rory McIlroy admitted his friendship with Graeme McDowell had become “strained” but still wants his fellow Northern Irishman as his foursomes partner in the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
The 25-year-old former world No 1 arrived in Scotland on Monday for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and dismissed the idea that he and McDowell had fallen out over the protracted legal battle involving McIlroy and Horizon Management, the company he left last year.
In court papers McIlroy’s lawyers allege that McDowell received preferential treatment from Horizon, while the counter-allegations from the management company accuse McIlroy of launching his legal battle to coincide with McDowell’s wedding last year.
However McIlroy, launching the new Nike performance facility at Archerfield Links in East Lothian, said he and McDowell were still friends, although the legal matters are still ongoing.
“I am still as close to him,” said Rory. “There’s obviously been a few things that have gone on that have strained the relationship, but he has stayed out of everything as much as he can and there’s no ill feeling towards him in any way from my side.
“He’s been one of my best friends on Tour and showed me the ropes. I will always be grateful for what he’s done and for going out of his way to make me feel comfortable out here.”
McIlroy is sure that McDowell, who retained the Open de France title at the weekend, will be with him at Gleneagles and wants him as a partner, as he was at Celtic Manor and Medinah.
It hasn’t affected our relationship in any way,” he continued. “At times it’s awkward but, at the end of the day, we are the same two people we were. I would love to tee it up with G-Mac in the Ryder Cup and Paul McGinley knows that.
“We definitely work well for the foursomes. I think the dynamic of how both our games suits it well.
“It was great to see him win on Sunday, especially shooting four-under on what was a tough day.”
Meanwhile, McGinley believes McDowell needs to do more, but that his victory in Paris augurs well.
“Graeme has played very well this year, with a lot of top 10s without winning, and he had a number of wins last year,” said the skipper.
“Now he’s won again, one of our big events and defended very well. He’s still not in the team, he still has to play very well over the next few weeks and earn more points.
“But he’s put himself at the frontline for a pick with that win, the fact he’s got the pedigree and he’s shown a lot of form this year.”