It was a dramatic first day in the Ryder Cup with a number of twists and turns and the best news is that the second day on Saturday is expected to be exactly the same. USA took a huge step towards regaining the cup when they opened up a 4-0 lead after the first session but Europe came roaring back with a 3-1 win in the second session to leave the score beautifully poised at 5-3 to USA.
Once again due to time restrictions we won’t be able to preview the afternoon fourballs on Saturday but just like with Friday we can go through the foursomes.
Match 9 – Tees off at 1.35pm BST
Rickie Fowler & Phil Mickelson vs Rory McIlroy & Thomas Pieters
Both these sides had excellent wins in their only matches together on the opening day so we should be in for a really exciting battle here. If first matches in a session set a tone for the day you would have to say it is a surprise that Davis Love III has put this pairing out first because they hardly hit a fairway on Friday and massively got away with it in their win.
Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters both drove it well in the main on Friday in the fourballs and anyone who doubted McIlroy’s commitment to the cause was soon made to eat their words. There were times when they both fell away from their best though which restricts me from betting on them especially at a cramped price.
Match 10 – Tees off at 1.50pm BST
Brandt Snedeker & Brooks Koepka vs Henrik Stenson & Matthew Fitzpatrick
The American pairing of Snedeker and Koepka are back out in the other discipline to the one they won in on Friday but having had the confidence of a fourballs win behind them they should go very well here. Henrik Stenson and Matt Fitzpatrick might be a new pairing but I have to say I really like it.
I think Koepka will be under more pressure in this match. We heard Snedeker say that his job was to be steady so that he could let Koepka do his thing in the fourballs and he did it well but they have to adapt here. Koepka will need to keep a hold on any looseness and their putting should be under full scrutiny.
Henrik Stenson holed nothing in the morning match on Friday but he made up for that in the afternoon and hopefully he will continue where he left off. If he does this should be a fantastic pairing because Fitzpatrick is straight as they come and doesn’t lack on the greens either. I expect Europe to put pressure on the Americans off the tee and that can lead to them winning a point for their side.
Match 11 – Tees off at 2.05pm BST
Jimmy Walker & Zach Johnson vs Justin Rose & Chris Wood
Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson rode a real storm in their foursomes win over Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer on Friday but having hung in there for as long as they did they finally managed to get their chance and took it emphatically in what was an impressive performance in the end.
Justin Rose wasn’t at his best in the opening day and needed Henrik Stenson to get him out of trouble a number of times. It is imperative that Rose finds his putting boots ahead of this match although Chris Wood is a solid player and shouldn’t be underestimated.
If Rose can hole some putts there isn’t much between these two pairings and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one goes all the way. I can’t really split them though so I’ll leave this match alone in the hope that it is a European point for our outright bet.
Match 12 – Tees off at 2.20pm BST
Patrick Reed & Jordan Spieth vs Sergio Garcia & Rafael Cabrera Bello
This looks like being the match of the afternoon as the American dream team takes on a Spanish pairing who looked like they had been playing together for ages when they teamed up in the fourballs on Friday.
Reed and Spieth were on fire in the foursomes on Friday but fizzled out a little bit in the afternoon which was to Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson’s gain. I’m expecting the Americans to bring it again here though and they will make birdies.
I’m not sure Sergio and Rafa will be backing down though. Just because he isn’t a regular on the leaderboard in major championships or winning tournaments every week doesn’t mean Cabrera Bello should be underestimated. He is a very solid player with a good matchplay record. If I had to pick I’d go USA here but I’m not taking the Spanish pair on.
Tips
Back H.Stenson & M.Fitzpatrick to beat B.Snedeker & B.Koepka for a 4/10 stake at 2.38 with Paddy Power
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