Friday, October 1, 2010

Ryder Cup Opening Pairings Made, Now Let's Go Play

Filed under:

Jim Furyk, Tiger WoodsNEWPORT, Wales -- Enough with the wall-to-wall banquets. No more making polite and politically correct conversation. Finally, it's time to suit up in the work clothes -- even if that includes rain gear.

The Ryder Cup's opening pairings were announced on Thursday. Here's how the action will get started in the best-ball format:

Americans Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will begin against Europeans Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar will follow against the Northern Ireland duo of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. Next off will be Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker opposed by Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher. Finally, Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton take on Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.

When asked why he chose Mickelson-Johnson to begin the day, Pavin responded with, "Well, because I think they are pretty good players."

Questioned as to why the Woods-Stricker combo, which teamed to go 4-0 in last year's Presidents Cup, was held to the third match. Pavin was quick with a quip.

"Because the first two spots were already taken."

As the first ones out for the Americans, Mickelson and Johnson will be looking to transition from this week's team bonding period into the down and dirty battle on the course.


"The first couple of days we've been here, I think fun is the word I would use," Mickelson said. "We have really had a good couple of days as far as getting adjusted and hanging out."

Now it's time to sweat. After a full week of meet-and-greets and social pleasantries -- including a Super Bowl halftime-like show that featured attendance by Prince Charles -- the 38th playing of the Ryder Cup matches begins Friday morning at Celtic Manor, turning golf into a contact sport.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Drea de Matteo Drew Barrymore Ehrinn Cummings Elena Lyons Elisabeth Röhm

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)