Team Europe predicted Ryder Cup pairings

Team Europe predicted pairings:

The first couple of sessions at Hazeltine are going to be critical. USA are clear favourites but Europe's legendary pairings have blown the odds to smithereens in recent times. Darren Clarke has arguably the most difficult task of any captain in recent times.

"Yesss, the bar keep says they're getting more Tia Maria & Lucozade!!"

Think about it. If the USA, roared on by a vociferous home crowd, get their noses in front early then an unstoppable momentum could overwhelm Europe and its highly inexperienced team, which is half full of rookies. But, if Darren Clarke gets his pairings right and the rookies (who plainly have to be blooded immediately) stare down the atmosphere, it could go completely the other way.

The American fans will be expecting, nay demanding, that the likes of Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth strike terror from the start and feed the noise. If they do, it could be virtually over by lunchtime on Saturday. It's going to be like a fierce boxing match. America could win by knock out. Europe, on the other hand, will need a points win (You do realise it's the one with most points that wins? – Ed). Yes I do, but you know what I mean!

Perhaps in order to offset the rookie-factor, Clarke has assembled a broad, formidable and highly experienced group of vice captains (Sam Torrance, Ian Poulter, Paul Lawrie, Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington) who will most likely be assigned rookies to help mentor. Including Clarke himself, there is effectively a 'captain' for each and every rookie.

Paul Casey said recently that there are no rookies any more in golf. Well, technically Andy Sullivan, Matt Fitzpatrick, Thomas Pieters, Chris Wood, Rafa Cabrera Bello and even Danny Willett are rookies. Willett is the only one who has won in the USA and Andy Sullivan the only other who has competed there with any regularity. None have played golf in the kind of conditions that Hazeltine will throw up, and it is asking a lot to expect them to not be affected at all. 

Every Ryder Cup I've attended in America (Oak Hill 1995, Detroit 2004, Medinah 2012) has been a complete eye opener. The patriotism of the USA fans can create an eery wall of jingoistic mania which has the hairs on the back of your neck standing up.

"USA USA USA!". It's not much of a chant but it's horribly effective when their tails are up. Mortal golfers can be quickly swept asunder and Darren Clarke is faced with easily the most difficult set of circumstances any Ryder Cup captain has faced in recent times.

Throughout Europe’s previous Ryder Cup victories, formidable partnerships have been the bedrock of success. Seve Ballesteros will always be linked with fellow countryman Jose María Olazábal for their potency as a duo, claiming a record 12 points as a pair in their four Ryder Cups together from 1987 to 1993.

No1: Lee Westwood & Matt Fitzpatrick

This'll look great in the Ryder Cup pairings page in the program

Darren Clarke will be hoping for similar partnerships to form in Hazeltine this month, with the following potential pairings options that the Northern Irishman might explore in a bid to lead Europe to a fourth successive victory. With captain’s pick Westwood an experienced Ryder Cup player, Clarke would be wise to pair him with compatriot and Ryder Cup rookie Fitzpatrick. Westwood, in his tenth appearance, could be called upon to offer guidance to three-time European Tour winner Fitzpatrick, who was part of Clarke’s team at the EurAsia Cup earlier this year. 

Westwood, who has amassed 23 points in his previous appearances, has had recent success partnering Ryder Cup debutantes, earning points alongside Nicolas Colsaerts at Medinah in 2012 and Jamie Donaldson in 2014. 

Expect Westwood & Fitzpatrick to be paired in the Friday morning foursomes.

No2 : Henrik Stenson & Justin Rose

This is about as easy a pairing as you can come up with. They won all three of their matches at Gleneagles two years ago, defeating Bubba Watson, Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar along the way, and they are clearly kindred spirits, having both embraced the Olympics this year. USA will fear these two. 

Expect these two to be up first in the Friday morning  foursomes and again in the afternoon foursomes.

No 3: Rafa Cabrero Bello & Sergio Garcia

"Nope, never seen one of these before..."

Darren Clarke is going to have to blood as many rookies in the first morning four balls as possible and this looks like an obvious choice. Let's face it, pairing Spaniards has worked before: Seve & Ollie; Ollie & Sergio.

While Sergio earned one-and-a-half points partnering Rory McIlroy at Gleneagles, Clarke could decide to pair the Spanish natives in an attempt to ease the pressure on rookie Cabrera Bello’s shoulders.

With 20.5 points to his name in seven appearances, Garcia could be the right man to partner the talented two-time European Tour winner Cabrera Bello to victory.

No 4: Rory McIlroy & Danny Willett

"Wheredit go Danny?" "Straight in the lumber yard, sir."

Willett will be champing at the bit to get out there and in amongst it. Europe can't afford to get off to a slow start and this pairing looks lethal. If we're right about all this, it means Chris Wood, Thomas Pieters, Andy Sullivan and Martin Kaymer will be desperate to be involved in the Friday foursomes but our guess is they won't all play.

Potential pairings for the fourballs will obviously depend on form in the morning but we can't see the day being completed without Martin Kaymer getting a look in. 

Related:

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