Ryder Cup pairings: Foursomes announcement

Ryder Cup pairings: Foursomes announcement

The Olympic medal winning duo of Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson will kick-off team Europe’s battle to win a fourth successive Ryder Cup in Friday’s opening foursomes.

Speaking at the opening ceremony European captain Darren Clarke also said that all his rookies “will play before the singles”, however he added went on to say that the state of the match would dictate if they all played on Friday.

Match 1 13.35 BST Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed v Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson

These two major champions combined to devastating effect at Gleneagles to take three points out of three, including an incredible birdie barrage to down Watson and Kuchar in the Saturday fourballs so Spieth and Reed will have their work cut out when play gets underway.

Match 2 13.50 BST Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler v Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan

Rory has a better record in the foursomes than the fourballs and he will be a great playing partner for Sullivan as he gets his first taste of Ryder Cup action but Mickelson and Fowler are an intimating opposition and will punish any mistakes form the European duo.

Match 3 14.05 BST Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson v Sergio Garcia and Martin Kymer

Both Garcia and Kaymer have fantastic Ryder Cup records and their experience will come in handy against another strong US pairing, with Walker on form since his US PGA victory at Baltusrol and Johnson more than capable if he turns up the heat.

Match 4 14.20 BST Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar v Thomas Pietres and Lee Westwood

Clarke’s general is out with one of Europe’s most talented rookies and win or lose Pietres will take a lot from playing with Westwood who has won 23 Ryder Cup points and needs just two more to equal the Ryder Cup record of 25 set by fellow Englishman Nick Faldo.

Dustin Johnson is the stand out name to be feared in the US ranks so this is going to be a close match with both teams sure to be exchanging blows all the way round.