McGinley: No Rory, G-Mac concerns
Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has brushed aside concerns over Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell’s current legal issues.
The Northern Irish pair are currently involved in a court case with McIlroy’s former management company, Horizon Sports Management,
The legal battle is McIlroy’s, though McDowell finds himself indirectly involved, and the judge hearing the case has recommended the two sides engage in mediation as sensitive matters were involved.
“The case has all sorts of sensitivities involving two players on tour, a manager of one of them and a former manager or agent of the other. It has all sorts of complex issues involving relationship matters,” Mr Justice Brian McGovern told both legal teams.
McGinley is confident, however, that the long-running legal battle will have no bearing on the Ryder Cup and McIlroy and McDowell’s participation.
“It’s not a concern,” McGinley told a press conference ahead of this week’s ISPS Handa Wales Open. “It has been going for a year and both have had very strong years.
“Rory’s had arguably his best year ever (winning two major championships) and Graeme won the French Open. It has not affected their performance and both of them have assured me it’s not going to affect anything in the team room.
“I would be very surprised if they don’t play together although I’m not going to write it in stone.”
McGinley is beginning to finalise preparations ahead of next week’s showpiece, with various members of his team choosing to prepare in different ways.
Jamie Donaldson, Lee Westwood, Stephen Gallacher and Thomas Bjorn are competing in Wales this week, and McGinley is set to have dinner with them and hand over information and pictures detailing what to expect in terms of infrastructure at Gleneagles.
Those who played in last week’s FedEx Cup finale are taking the week off, which McGinley says is a good move.
“I’m delighted the guys who played in America are having a week off,” the Dubliner said. “We did not have that in Medinah and I think we suffered. Graeme McDowell has gone on record saying he felt unprepared physically and mentally.”
Latest
-
European TourAdrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European TourShane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European TourKeith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA TourJT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European TourRyan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.
-
NewsDefiant Lee Westwood does not believe playing in LIV should harm Ryder Cup hopes
Westwood doesn’t agree with penalties and sanctions.
-
NewsShane Lowry welcomes closer ties between Tours in response to threat from LIV
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced the next phase of their strategic alliance.
-
NewsPadraig Harrington fears LIV series poses threat to future of DP World Tour
The US Senior Open champion thinks there is only room for the PGA and one other tour in the world game.
-
NewsSteve Stricker makes Padraig Harrington sweat as Irishman wins US Senior Open
The pair were rival captains in last year’s Ryder Cup in Wisconsin.
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month