On the eve of the Ryder Cup, we learnt who will be featuring in the first session in Rome, with Team Europe and USA going for interesting line-ups for the Friday morning foursomes.
Europe have opted for a mix of experience and rookies, with Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka getting their debut Ryder Cups underway with Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry. Alongside the quartet, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will lead out the European side, whilst the experienced duo of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood bring up the final group.
In the case of the Americans, World No.1, Scottie Scheffler, is paired alongside his good buddy, Sam Burns, with the pair leading off Team USA. They will be followed by the rookie pairing of Max Homa and Brian Harman, with Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay completing the final four.
Obviously, with 16 players out on the course, there will be eight missing - four from Europe and four from USA - with some big, big names left out of the foursomes!
Team Europe
Nicolai Hojgaard
Robert MacIntyre
Matt Fitzpatrick
Justin Rose
It was always going to be interesting to see who Luke Donald was going to select for the foursomes, an area where Europe have always got the upper hand against their American opponents in the past.
With the teams being announced, rookies Nicolai Hojgaard and Robert MacIntyre won't be featuring, with English duo Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose also not participating in the morning.
It seems then that Hojgaard and MacIntyre may play in the afternoon, but you could say it is slightly surprising that Rose isn't featuring, given that his foursomes record in the event is 7 wins 2 losses and 1 tie.
The final player not playing is Fitzpatrick, with the Englishman still looking for his first Ryder Cup point having been defeated in all five of his matches in two tournament appearances. In that time, he has lost three foursomes sessions and two singles sessions.
Team USA
Jordan Spieth
Justin Thomas
Wyndham Clark
Brooks Koepka
In the USA's case, they have left out Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark and Brooks Koepka, with just one rookie staying on the sidelines in the form of US Open winner, Clark.
According to our man on the ground, both Spieth and Thomas were seen on Thursday morning struggling with their games, with the pair perhaps the surprising names left out of the morning foursomes, given their previous record in the Ryder Cup. It means we may see the Major winning duo play in the afternoon in the four balls.
In Koepka's case, the five-time Major winner won't be featuring in the morning session, with the 33-year-old holding a 2-2-0 record in foursomes. Along with his foursomes record, he has two wins in the four balls, as well as three defeats.
Clark, on the other hand, is making his debut in the event and has already caused a slight stir after comments made at Rory McIlroy. Clark, who beat McIlroy by one stroke at the US Open, said to Golf Today: “I have the utmost respect for Rory – he is one of the great ambassadors of our game. He is obviously one of the best of all time and he is still going so he can be that. I have tons of respect for Rory and because of that respect, I also want to beat him. I like to think I am better than him and I want to prove that."
WHAT ARE THE FRIDAY MORNING FOURSOMES PAIRINGS
- Scottie Scheffler & Sam Burns vs Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton
- Max Homa & Brian Harman vs Viktor Hovland & Ludvig Aberg
- Rickie Fowler & Collin Morikawa vs Shane Lowry & Sepp Straka
- Xander Schauffele & Patrick Cantlay vs Rory McIlroy & Tommy Fleetwood
WHAT TIME DOES THE RYDER CUP GET UNDERWAY?
The Friday morning foursomes get underway at 7.35am local time (6.35am BST & 1.35am ET). The last foursomes match will go out at 8.20am CET (7.20am BST & 2.20am ET).
Following that session are the afternoon fourball matches, which are scheduled to begin between 12.25pm and 1.10pm CET (11.25am and 12.10pm BST & 6.25am and 7.10am ET) with play scheduled to wrap up for the day around 6pm CET (5pm BST & Noon ET).
-
Ludvig Aberg Withdraws From Wells Fargo Championship Due To Knee IssueThe Swede has withdrawn from the Quail Hollow event to allow additional rest before the PGA Championship
-
The Amateur Playing In His Seventh Major And Third Masters This WeekCareer amateur Stewart Hagestad has made it back to Augusta National after another US Mid-Am victory
-
'Relax Rory' - Couples Backs LaCava And Reveals What Caddie Said To McIlroyFred Couples has revealed what Joe LaCava said to Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup and insists his former caddie did nothing wrong
-
Players Back Luke Donald To Retain Ryder Cup CaptaincyMatt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood are among the latest players offering their support to the Team Europe Ryder Cup captain
-
Tour Pro Says Brooks Koepka's Response To Ryder Cup Question Showed 'Everything That's Wrong With The US Team'Eddie Pepperell thinks an answer Koepka gave to a question at the Ryder Cup hinted at why the US team came up short
-
NBC Reports Significant Drop in Ryder Cup Viewing Figures As Sky Sports Announces Record WeekFans either side of the Atlantic showed contrasting levels of interest in TV coverage during the 2023 Ryder Cup
-
Sergio Garcia Drops Subtle Hint Over 2025 Ryder Cup Captaincy RoleThe record Ryder Cup points scorer reposted two social media messages putting his name forward for the position
-
Rory McIlroy Believes Team Europe Were Able To ‘Flourish’ Without LIV GolfersThe World No.2 suggested new responsibilities for the likes of Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland helped Luke Donald's men at Marco Simone
-
Graeme McDowell Questions Ryder Cup Course Set-Up After Fifth Big Home Win In A RowThe former Ryder Cup player thinks it may be time for the Europeans and Americans to collaborate on how the courses are set up
-
10 Reasons Why Europe Won The 2023 Ryder CupEurope stunned America as they prevailed 16.5-11.5 to overturn their record defeat in Whistling Straits two years earlier, but what led to the win?
