The opening session of the 2018 Ryder Cup sees both sides putting out four pairings in the fourballs format to get the competition underway. There are four points up for grabs in the opening session as both sides look to jostle for the early initiative.
Each player plays his own ball in this session so the order of the day is very much making birdies but for a first competitive look at the course it might not be the low scoring sessions that we will see later in the week.
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Justin Rose & Jon Rahm vs Tony Finau & Brooks Koepka
Match tees off at 07.10 BST
The opening match out onto the golf course sees the world number one Justin Rose out alongside the powerful Jon Rahm when they take on the big hitting American duo of Tony Finau and the US Open and USPGA champion Brooks Koepka.
Both sides have a past Ryder Cupper alongside a rookie in this match but the edge has to go to the European pair for a couple of reasons. Firstly the course suits Rose the best of anyone and secondly Rahm went well in the Open de France earlier in the year so I’m expecting a strong showing from the European pair. You would think there will be a number of birdies in the American side especially if they gel from the start though so there isn’t enough of an edge to warrant a bet in my eyes.
Rory McIlroy & Thorbjorn Olesen vs Dustin Johnson & Rickie Fowler
Match tees off at 07.25 BST
The pick of the matches in the morning session is the second on out off the first tee as the European talisman Rory McIlroy goes out alongside the confident rookie Thorbjorn Olesen when they take on the powerful American pairing of Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.
McIlroy and Olesen are an interesting pairing but earlier in the week the Northern Irishman was suggesting he would be comfortable with the Dane as they have known each other for so long. Both men look like being birdie machines. To my knowledge this is the first time Johnson and Fowler have paired up but they are from the same coaching stable so they will know each other very well. I look at both pairs and I see a lot of birdies so with no massive edge I’ll just watch what should be a cracking contest.
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Paul Casey & Tyrrell Hatton vs Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth
Match tees off at 07.40 BST
The third match of the morning sees an English duo taking on a very powerful looking American pairing when Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton team up to take on Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
While the American pair look strong on paper it should be recognised that Jordan Spieth is in no form whatsoever and there are concerns over the fitness of Justin Thomas. Casey is a former European star and is top notch at match play but you get the feeling this match could come down to how Hatton fares. If he settles quickly and finds his best game the European pair should be competitive. If he struggles and Casey ends up playing the Americans on his own you would have to favour the Americans. The US pair are odds on and while I’m giving them the edge this is not a format for odds on shots.
Francesco Molinari & Tommy Fleetwood vs Tiger Woods & Patrick Reed
Match tees off at 07.55 BST
The final match out onto the golf course will unquestionably be the one that carries the biggest crowds as the European pair of Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood take on a certain Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed.
In my eyes Europe have saved their best pairing for last in this opening session. Francesco Molinari is The Open champion but more importantly this week he loves this golf course and he pairs up with Fleetwood who won around here last year and who is ideally suited to this track. They take on a Woods who will be buzzing from his win in Atlanta last week and Reed, the Masters champion who is in absolutely no form at all. The scenario should see Reed play better but he hasn’t driven the ball well all year apart from at Augusta and in fairness it is easy to drive around there. You can’t play this course from the rough so the Europeans have a major advantage off the tee with two of the best drivers of the ball in the game on their side. They can take that and run with it to bank a point for the home side.
Tips
WON – Back F.Molinari & T.Fleetwood to beat T.Woods & P.Reed for a 4/10 stake at 2.30 with Boylesports
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