Sentiment won't play part in paring Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy at Ryder Cup, Harrington insists

Lowry, one of Harrington’s three captain’s picks, and McIlroy have remained firm friends, practice together regularly and are enthusiastic about playing together for Europe

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry during the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

Pádraig Harrington has insisted he will only pair Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy at next week’s Ryder Cup matches on the grounds of sense, not sentiment.

Sending out a pair of major champions, team-mates since the 2007 European Team Amateur Championships and Ireland’s representatives at this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo, would be the dream pairing for Irish golf fans when the 43rd matches against the USA get underway at Whistling Straits next Friday.