European captain Nick Faldo opted to pair his players based on nationality on the second practice day at the Ryder Cup in Valhalla, Kentucky.

Double Open champion Padraig Harrington was with fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell, while Paul Casey paired up with English rookie Oliver Wilson.

The two Swedes, Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, went out together.

Spanish duo Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez were coupled, and so were Justin Rose and Ian Poulter.

The single exception to the "national" rule saw Englishman Lee Westwood team up with Dane Soren Hansen.

Thursday will be a truncated practice day, before the three-day contest begins on Friday.

After Faldo had kept everyone guessing by opting for groups of three on Tuesday, Wednesday's pairings gave a clearer indication of his planning for the foursomes and fourballs that take up the first two days of the Ryder Cup.

But the six-time major winner may pull the odd rabbit out of the hat on Thursday, and there has been some speculation Casey will ultimately team up with Harrington.

Casey said: "I would love to play with Padraig and I think it would be a good pairing, but I would play with any of the guys.

"I know guys have been sort of batting around ideas, but any time you can play with a double major champion from one year that would be very, very nice."

McDowell said the players were warming to Faldo's leadership.

"He was one of my heroes and he's got a lot to give." saidthe 29-year-old rookie, ranked number 32 in the world.

"He's got a lot of stuff in his head and he's been thinking about it long and hard and has had a lot of time to digest this golf course and think about his pairings, think about his team.

"We get into the team room and his speeches are pretty calculated. He's thought long and hard about things. He's got a lot of great stuff to offer us.

"He's really involving everyone - caddies, wives, partners - everyone is a part of this whole experience and he's very open to any feedback."