Opening Ryder Cup match pairings set
The lineup is set for the first four matches in the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club. The competition begins with foursomes (alternate shot).
8:05 a.m. Eastern time (13:05 UK time): Phil Mickelson/Anthony Kim (USA) vs. Padraig Harrington/Robert Karlsson (Europe): Lefty is Lefty. Kim is a rookie who won twice on the PGA TOUR this year. Harrington won two majors this year. Both teams were probably scheduled to go out first in order to seize the momentum early. Neither has an edge; will be a fun one to watch and a fitting match to begin the games.
8:20 a.m. ET: Justin Leonard/Hunter Mahan (USA) vs. Henrik Stenson/Paul Casey (Europe): Experience vs. Experience. Another match where there’s no edge. There isn’t more to say about that. Team that makes fewest mistakes wins.
8:35 a.m. ET: Stewart Cink/Chad Campbell (USA) vs. Justin Rose/Ian Poulter (Europe): USA experience vs. the exhuberance of European youth. Would not be surprised to see the Brits take an early lead here as Americans stay patient and look for a late rally.
8:50 a.m. ET: Kenny Perry/Jim Furyk (USA) vs. Lee Westwood/Sergio Garcia (Europe): Clearly Captains Azinger and Faldo wanted to begin and end the morning session with an “Oomph.” Likely Europe’s strongest pair against the player who wanted to be here the most (Perry) agianst the player with the best Ryder Cup record on this USA squad.
For the Americans, four rookies will sit out the morning: J.B. Holmes, Ben Curtis, Steve Stricker and Boo Weekley. The Europeans who will watch are rookies Soren Hansen, Graeme McDowell and Oliver Wilson and, ironically, veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez.
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