RYDER CUP FIRST MORNING MATCHES REVIEWED

 FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By OLIVER BROWN




FOURSOMES LINE-UP

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell v Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker

(7.20am local time, 1.20pm BST) 
Friends, sidekicks and compatriots, McIlroy and McDowell form an ominous combination. The Ulstermen might have taken just half a point from their opening-day matches at Celtic Manor, but they rallied in the Saturday foursomes for a crucial victory. McIlroy will need to prove he is the world’s best against veteran Furyk and an emboldened Snedeker, who warned the Europeans that he would “beat their brains out”.

Luke Donald and Sergio García v Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley

(1.35pm BST) 
If one point could be assured today for Europe, you would bet on Donald and García to secure it. The pair have won four out of four in foursomes and complement each other beautifully: Donald’s glacial on-course persona offset by Garcia’s flamboyance. Mickelson brings the experience of eight Ryder Cups for the US but has a dismal record of 17 defeats in 34 matches, while Bradley must purge the nerves of the rookie. 

Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari v Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson

(1.50pm BST) 
The manacling of Westwood and Molinari seems curious: the Englishman was irresistible alongside Donald two years ago, but has never partnered the Italian in matchplay. 
The pair face a formidable struggle against the nerveless Dufner, and Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion with a gossamer putter.

Ian Poulter and Justin Rose v Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods
(2.05pm BST) 
Poulter’s chest-thumping at the opening ceremony betrayed how he felt ahead of today’s contest. In Rose he finds the most effective partner, once a neighbour in Orlando. They will need all their bullishness to outsmart Stricker and Woods - unbeaten in five matches at the 2009 Presidents Cup, they won two of three at Celtic Manor in 2010. 

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