Update 2: The Europeans will take a 10-6 lead into Sunday’s Ryder Cup singles matches at Le Golf National. Justin Thomas will bat leadoff and go against Rory McIlroy. (Tee times and pairing below.)
Update: The Europeans will take a 5-3 lead into Saturday morning’s four (4) fourball matches at Le Golf National. In the afternoon, four (4) matches of foursomes will complete day two, leading into Sunday’s finale of 12 single matches. (Tee times and pairing below.)
The 2018 Ryder Cup will get underway tomorrow morning at Le Golf National near Paris, France with four (4) matches of fourball. In the afternoon, four (4) matches of foursomes will complete day one.
The Americans will be defending and thus need only 14 points to retain the Cup, while the Europeans require 14.5 to win the hardware.
Eight total points will be available in two four-match sessions on Friday.
For the morning sessions, Jim Furyk will send out a pair of Ryder Cup rookies in Justin Thomas and Tony Finau, while Thomas Bjorn will go with a first timer in each of the four matches (Jon Rahm, Thorbjorn Olesen, Tyrrell Hatton, and Tommy Fleetwood).
At world No. 4, and the owner of the most PGA Tour wins (8) over the past two seasons, the rookie Thomas will hardly be intimidated. The Kentucky native will be paired with good friend Jordan Spieth in a match against Hatton and Paul Casey.
The other rook, Finau, will join Brooks Koepka in a match against Justin Rose and Jon Rahm, another Ryder Cup first timer.
In something of a surprise, Tiger Woods will be paired with “Captain America” Patrick Reed. They will anchor the Americans in the morning and square off against Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood.
RYDER CUP PAIRINGS, TEE TIMES
SUNDAY SINGLES
Match 1: 6:05 am
Justin Thomas vs Rory McIlroy
Match 2: 6:17 am
Brooks Koepka vs Paul Casey
Match 3: 6:29 am
Webb Simpson vs Justin Rose
Match 4: 6:41 am
Tiger Woods vs Jon Rahm
Match 5: 6:53 am
Tony Finau vs Tommy Fleetwood
Match 6: 7:05 am
Dustin Johnson vs Ian Poulter
Match 7: 7:17 am
Jordan Spieth vs Thornjorn Olesen
Match 8: 7:29 am
Rickie Fowler vs Sergio Garcia
Match 9: 7:41 am
Phil Mickelson vs Francesco Molinari
Match 10: 7:53 am
Patrick Reed vs Tyrrell Hatton
Match 11: 8:05 am
Bubba Watson vs Henrik Stenson
Match 12: 8:17 am
Bryson DeChambeau vs Alex Noren
SATURDAY MORNING FOURBALL
Match 1: 2:10 am
Brooks Koepka & Tony Finau vs Sergio Garcia & Alex Noren
Match 2: 2:25 am
Dustin Johnson & Rickie Fowler vs Paul Casey & Tyrrell Hatton
Match 3: 2:40 am
Tiger Woods & Patrick Reed vs Francesco Molinari & Tommy Fleetwood
Match 4: 2:55 am
Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth vs Ian Poulter & Rory McIlroy
SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOURSOMES
Match 1: 7:50 am
Dustin Johnson & Brooks Koepka vs Justin Rose & Henrik Stenson
Match 2: 8:05 am
Bubba Watson & Webb Simpson vs Sergio Garcia & Alex Noren
Match 3: 8:20 am
Tiger Woods & Bryson DeChambeau vs Francesco Molinari & Tommy Fleetwood
Match 4: 8:35 am
Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth vs Ian Poulter & Rory McIlroy
FRIDAY MORNING FOURBALL
Match 1: 2:10 am
Brooks Koepka & Tony Finau vs Justin Rose & Jon Rahm
Match 2: 2:25 am
Dustin Johnson & Rickie Fowler vs Rory McIlroy & Thorbjorn Olesen
Match 3: 2:40 am
Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth vs Paul Casey & Tyrrell Hatton
Match 4: 2:55 am
Tiger Woods & Patrick Reed vs Francesco Molinari & Tommy Fleetwood
FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOURSOMES
Match 1: 7:50 am
Dustin Johnson & Rickie Fowler vs Justin Rose & Jon Rahm
Match 2: 8:05 am
Bubba Watson & Webb Simpson vs Ian Poulter & Rory McIlroy
Match 3: 8:20 am
Phil Mickelson & Bryson DeChambeau vs Sergio Garcia & Alex Noren
Match 4: 8:35 am
Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth vs Francesco Molinari & Tommy Fleetwood