European captain Paul McGinley offered further hints about his possible pairings on the second day of official practice ahead of the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

After sending his 12-man team out in four groups of three on Tuesday, McGinley reverted to three groups of four this morning, but with Rory McIlroy once more in the same group as Martin Kaymer and Victor Dubuisson again alongside Graeme McDowell.

Press Association Sport understands US Open champion Kaymer is a likely partner for McIlroy in foursomes, while McDowell said on Tuesday he was keen to act as a mentor to rookie Dubuisson after the "dynamic" of his relationship with McIlroy had changed.

Ian Poulter and Justin Rose were also together again in the second group along with Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson, with Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood kept together and joined by Scotland's Stephen Gallacher.

US captain Tom Watson kept the group of Keegan Bradley, Phil Mickelson, Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler together, Bradley and Mickelson having won all three of their matches together at Medinah.

Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, who also played together at Medinah, were playing alongside Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan, while Jim Furyk, Patrick Reed, Matt Kuchar and Jordan Spieth made up the final group.

McGinley confirmed that his players were playing just 10 holes in practice, starting from the ninth, with the gala dinner to attend on Wednesday evening.

The 47-year-old also said his "skeleton plan" for Friday's opening fourballs matches was on target, adding: "I'm meeting with the vice-captains today at two o'clock and we'll solidify that going into the final practise round tomorrow. We're pretty much on schedule where we need to be.

"I have an idea too in what rotation we are going to go out in. That's obviously a very important thing."

Rickie Fowler has dismissed accusations of brashness over his much-discussed Ryder Cup haircut.

The in-form American arrived in Scotland for this week's match against Europe at Gleneagles with 'USA' shaved into his hair.

United States captain Tom Watson hailed it as "terrific" but some observers have been more critical, suggesting it is a cocky display of jingoism.

But Fowler said: "I'm just myself. I'm not trying to be anyone else. I'm not trying to fit in any particular way. I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings or turn anyone the wrong way.

"I'm just proud to be from the USA and be over here playing the Ryder Cup. If people take it the wrong way, it's too bad for them, it's unfortunate.

"You've got to show some patriotism and spirit for your country. Like I say, I'm excited and it's going to be a fun week."

Rory McIlroy admitted he was in a trance listening to former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson address the European Ryder Cup team on Tuesday evening.

Ferguson was invited to Gleneagles by home captain Paul McGinley and, as a fan of the Red Devils, world number one McIlroy in particular was thrilled to listen to what Ferguson had to say.

"For me, being a Manchester United fan, it was the highlight of the week so far," said the Open champion, who paraded the Claret Jug at Old Trafford earlier this season.

"I was just sitting there and looking up at him and I didn't take my eyes off him. I was sort of in this trance just listening to everything that he was saying and I'm sort of thinking, this is all the stuff that he's probably said to Manchester United teams over the years.

"He told us a couple of stories just of past experiences in some big games and some of the players that he managed and it was a great evening. It was a really cool thing to be a part of."

McIlroy joked that the non-Manchester United fans in the team made their feelings known, adding: "But (it was) very useful because we got to ask some questions, just about different things and what he thought was the key element to being successful as a team.

"He's a very inspirational sort of man when he talks. He's got a lot of authority and the room just goes quiet and everyone listens."