Latest pictures from Gleneagles

The 2014 Ryder Cup doesn't get underway until Friday, but there's still plenty going on at Gleneagles...

2014 Ryder Cup
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The 2014 Ryder Cup doesn't get underway until Friday, but there's still plenty going on at Gleneagles...

The 2014 Ryder Cup doesn't get underway until Friday, but there's still plenty going on at Gleneagles.

On Wednesday, Paul McGinley sent his players to practice in four-balls - a change of tact from Tuesday, where he employed four groups of three.

Significantly, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell - the subjects of most of the pre-event speculation - were paired together, alongside Martin Kaymer and Victor Dubuisson.

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter - a partnership everyone is expecting to see come Friday - played alongside Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia, while Thomas Bjorn and Lee Westwood accompanied rookies Stephen Gallacher and Jamie Donaldson.

USA captain Tom Watson also sent his team to practice in four-balls, as per the below groupings:

- 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

Last night, Sir Alex Ferguson also dropped in to the European team room to give a motivational speech.

See some of the latest Ryder Cup pictures from Gleneagles:

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy gets a shoulder massage from Pete Cowan

Victor Dubuisson Rory McIlroy

The Ulsterman practiced alongside Victor Dubuisson on Wednesday

Paul McGinley

Will they, won't they? McIlroy and McDowell in discussion with Paul McGinley

Justin Rose Ian Poulter

Rose and Poluter practiced together for the second day running

US Ryder Cup team

Spieth, Kuchar and Reed with US vice-captain Steve Stricker

US Ryder Cup team

Rickie Fowler tees off at Gleneagles

Paul McGinley

McGinley signs autographs for the hoards of enthusiastic fans

Junior Ryder Cup

Sergio Garcia with members of the European Junior Ryder Cup team

European Ryder Cup team

Sir Alex Ferguson was drafted in to give a speech to the European team

Nick Bonfield
Features 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, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. 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