Ready, Steady, Go!

The 2-year wait is over. The slightly odd procession of wives is behind us. We have one more sleep before the 39th Ryder Cup kicks off in Medinah, and with the foursome pairings at our fingertips, we can begin to imagine what will happen.


Match 1: Jim Furyk & Brandt Snedeker v. Rory McIlroy & Graeme McDowell

No surprises from José María Olazábal with the first match out - World Number 1 Rory McIlroy partners Northern Irish compatriot Graeme McDowell to resume their partnership from Celtic Manor. McIlroy is playing fantastic golf right now, albeit with a return to his poor putting in the Tour Championship. McDowell didn't make it to East Lake, but a good showing in the BMW Championship  was enough to show that his best golf is not far off, and only Ian Poulter can rival G-Mac for fire in the belly.

I was a little disappointed that Davis Love III didn't lead off with Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, but I reckon they'll get the chance to take on the Macs later on in the weekend. Meanwhile, Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker won't be a pushover. Furyk had a return to form this year, although faltered slightly in the autumn, requiring a captain's pick. One man who instantly repaid his captain's faith in him was Snedeker, who picked up the FedEx Cup and some money last week in East Lake. Snedeker is a phenomenal putter, and with Furyk's phlegmatic calm alongside him, should be able to stay cool on his Ryder Cup debut.

Verdict: This is a tough match to call - if McIlroy holes some putts, that should be enough to take Europe over the line - you can be sure McDowell will make the ones that matter. Snedeker will make his putts, but he needs Furyk to rediscover the ball-striking he displayed in May and June this year. I don't see this one ending early.

Halved Match


Match 2: Keegan Bradley & Phil Mickelson v. Luke Donald & Sergio Garcia

Keegan Bradley may be a Ryder Cup rookie, but with the 2011 PGA and the 2012 Bridgestone Invitational on his mantlepiece, he's not short of big-game experience. Another solid putter, he was expected to team up with fan favourite Phil Mickelson. Mickelson's had a quiet year since the Masters, but played some decent golf in the Playoffs to prove he's close to being back in form. There isn't enough thick greenside rough for us to see Mickelson perform his usual magic tricks, but you can be sure he'll still provide some sensational wedgeplay.

Once again, Olazábal picked a ready-made superstar pairing. With 4/4 points in foursomes together, Sergio and Donald are a formidable partnership. Sergio will be delighted to have a short game like Donald's at his disposal, while the Spaniard played his way on to the team with a victory at the Wyndham Championship. An often awful putter, Garcia always seems to find his stroke in time for the Ryder Cup - he'll need it to back up Donald around the greens.

Verdict: I'm not going to go against the form book here: I haven't seen enough good play from the American pairing to believe they can take down the European duo - Donald may have been quiet for the last few months but he found a top-5 at East Lake just to remind us why he held the Number 1 spot for a year. Sergio has that Spanish something in the Ryder Cup, and I see the Europeans extending their stellar record.

Europe to win 4&3


Match 3: Jason Dufner & Zach Johnson v. Francesco Molinari & Lee Westwood

An interesting pairing from Love - we all know who's coming in the final match, so announcing these boys to play third means there are some big names left out. That said, he's picked two great putters here (the U.S. team is full of them), in particular Johnson, who doesn't know how to miss from inside 6 feet. Dufner was the player to watch earlier in the season, but didn't catch fire in the summer. Don't be put off by those sleepy eyes though - he's up for this.

You know who does know how to miss from inside 6 feet? Lee Westwood. Also Francesco Molinari. These guys will be amazing from tee to green - Ollie Wilson just tweeted that he expects 18 greens in regulation - but they simply will not match the Americans' short games.

Verdict: Easy call for me here I'm afraid. You can't win matches without sinking putts.

U.S.A. to win 3&2


Match 4: Steve Stricker & Tiger Woods v. Ian Poulter & Justin Rose

Here we go. Once the Americans found a partner for Tiger, they have not let go of him. Stricker and Woods have a great record in team events, and I'd expect them to continue it at Medinah. Woods is playing great golf - he's faded a few times in final rounds, but you won't convince me that he's lost his nerve. Steve Stricker is Mr. September - these dates must suit him perfectly so. Tough to find a player who rolls the ball better than Stricker - this is just a great pairing.

Speaking of great pairings....anything with Ian Poulter always looks good. The man just lives for the Ryder Cup. Justin Rose has proven himself in the last two years - the uncertain youth is gone, and the polished professional is here. He did not enjoy missing out on the Celtic Manor win, and made sure he made the team early this time. Rose is another player who returned to form at East Lake - he's comfortable in America and he'll be comfortable with Poulter.

Verdict: This is a toughie. If Poulter gets into his Ryder Cup stride early he'll be difficult to stop. That said, I'm pretty confident Tiger's going to lead this American team this year, and that he and Stricker will start right here. Should be a cracking match.

U.S.A. to win 3&2


So that's it. America to be leading 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 after the first morning's play. In reality though, who knows? Check back in after the morning's play for a preview of the afternoon's fourballs.