The Ryder Cup already has its schedule prepared for Friday morning. Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald announced at ten o’clock on Thursday night, Spanish mainland time, six hours less in Bethpage, the eight pairs, four for each team, that will face off in the first foursome session.
The times are always according to the Spanish mainland time zone:
13.10 Bryson DeChambeau/Justin Thomas Vs. Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton
13.26 Scottie Scheffler/Russell Henley Vs. Ludvig Aberg/Matt Fitzpatrick
13.42 Collin Morikawa/Harris English Vs. Rory McIlroy/Tommy Fleetwood
13.58 Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele Vs. Robert MacIntyre/Viktor Hovland
Some surprises in the pairs. For example, Luke Donald has separated the two Nordics and returns Fitzpatrick to the foursome, a decision that obviously relates to the good form he is in. He has been one of the best in the world in recent weeks. Donald only repeats two pairs from the foursome that won 4-0 in Rome. Lowry and Straka, who formed a pair, are out, and Fitzpatrick comes in to play with Aberg and MacIntyre to play with Hovland.
Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley has surprised by putting all the artillery in the first match. The two players who most effectively fire up the crowd. The United States captain is holding nothing back. It’s clear what he’s aiming for. The problem is if it doesn’t go well. DeChambeau and Thomas will be responsible for warming up the atmosphere in Bethpage. A tough task ahead for Rahm and Hatton. On the other hand, the Spaniard and the Englishman have the opportunity to defuse this impact and perhaps deflate that initial momentum. Certainly, what happens in that first match could greatly influence the development of the Ryder.
On the other hand, the placement of McIlroy and Fleetwood in the third match is surprising. It was expected they would be in one of the first two. Perhaps the intention was precisely to avoid crossing the Number One and Number Two in the world for now. In this regard, there is no surprise with Scheffler. He will play with Henley, as has been said for a long time, the same as happened in the last Presidents.
Similarly, Harris English will be Morikawa’s new dance partner, something that was also speculated from Napa Valley, and a very established duo is not missing: Schauffele and Cantlay. The big question is how Schauffele will be, as he hasn’t played since the Tour Championship.
Those left out of this first session are: JJ Spaun, Cameron Young, Ben Griffin, and Sam Burns, for the American side, and Straka, Lowry, Rose, and Rasmus Hojgaard, for Europe. Perhaps the most striking thing is that there are no rookies in this first session.
Obviously, in principle and officially, those are the tee times, although they could be altered if it rains heavily in the coming hours and forces a delay in the start.
As announced in previous days, Donald Trump is expected to be present at the 1st tee at the start of the Ryder Cup. The public’s reaction to his presence will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting points of the day.
