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Macs Open for Europe in Ryder Cup
McIlroy Surprised by USA's Early Tactics
Woods Happy to Be with Stricker Again
Olazabal Sheds Tear for Seve As Ryder Cup Opens
Simpson Set to Make An Impression
Weepy Watson Bleeds Red, White and Blue
Macs Open for Europe in Ryder Cup
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept 27, 2012 (AFP) - Northern Irish duo Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will kick off Europe's defence of the Ryder Cup on Friday when they take on Americans Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker in the first of four foursomes.
Phil Mickelson will win a US record ninth cap when he goes out in the second tie with rookie Keegan Bradley, up against Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia who are unbeaten in four previous foursomes matches.
The third tie sees rookie Jason Dufner partner Zach Johnson against Europe's most experienced campaigner Lee Westwood and steady Francesco Molinari of Italy.
In the morning anchor match Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker resume the winning partnership they formed two years ago against the English pair of Justin Rose and Ian Poulter.
US captain Davis Love said that Snedeker's fine recent form had been a key factor in his reckoning.
"This is the best four we felt like to start us off," he said.
"And order wise, there was not a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it, except that maybe pace of play. We wanted to get Brandt going - Brandt likes to get out there and get after it. Brandt was a good one to lead off.
"Obviously Phil and Keegan are a little bit excited to be playing, too, so get them going. And then we've got some pretty cool customers at the end that can handle whatever happens in the last two matches."
European counterpart Jose Maria Olazabal said that he had simply opted to send out what he felt were his four strongest foursomes pairings.
"When I look at foursomes, I want to have players who are consistent and are steady from tee to green. There were no surprises from Davis Love, they are all strong pairings and some of those have played before.
"The way my players are playing is the most important thing. They believe we can win here even though the US have the crowd advantage and the experience of playing here.
World No.1 McIlroy made his Ryder Cup debut with close friend McDowell at his side at Celtic Manor, Wales two years ago and they had one win, one loss and one halve.
But since then the 23-year-old from Holywood near Belfast has shot to superstardom with eight stroke triumphs at the 2011 US Open and 2012 US PGA Championship.
Up against them will be the veteran Furyk and Snedeker, who won over 11 million dollars last weekend by winning the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Mickelson had already let slip in the pre-tournament press conferences that he would be "playing a lot" with Bradley who won the US PGA title last year in what was his first major championship.
The Donald and Garcia pairing had been considered a shoo-in as neither has ever lost a foursomes match playing together or with other partners. Garcia is back in the Ryder Cup mix after a loss of form meant he was absent from Celtic Manor.
Dufner has suddenly emerged as a force in world golf at the relatively late age of 35, while Johnson is back to the kind of form that saw him win the 2007 Masters.
Westwood at 39 is considered the rockbed of the European side especially in foursomes and fourballs where he has enjoyed great success with an assortment of playing partners.
The top draw in the morning looks sure to be the anchor match with US talisman Woods, back to No.2 in the world and quiet man Stricker taking on Ryder Cup firebrand Poulter and Rose, who has risen to No.5 in the world.
The pairings for Friday morning's opening foursomes in the 39th Ryder Cup between the United States and Europe:-
(Times are local which is GMT minus five)
0720 - Jim Furyk/Brandt Snedeker (USA) v Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell (Europe)
0735 - Phil Mickelson/Keegan Bradley (USA) v Luke Donald/Sergio Garcia (Europe)
0750 - Jason Dufner/Zach Johnson (USA) v Lee Westwood/Francesco Molinari (Europe)
0805 - Steve Stricker/Tiger Woods (USA) v Ian Poulter/Justin Rose (Europe)
Non-playing
United States: Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson
Europe: Nicolas Colsaerts, Paul Lawrie, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer
Fourballs to follow at 1205, 1220, 1235, 1250 (pairings announced after foursomes finish)
McIlroy Surprised by USA's Early Tactics
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept 27, 2012 (AFP) - World No. 1 Rory McIlroy is chomping at the bit to get his first crack at the US duo of Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker in the first of four foursomes at the Ryder Cup on Friday. 
"It is a great honour to lead Europe out there. I can’t wait for 07:20 in the morning," McIlroy said Thursday. "Leading the side off in the Ryder Cup ... we are going to go out there and get the blue on the board early."
McIlroy will once again be partnered with fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell. They were a formidable team in 2010 at Celtic Manor, Wales where they finished 1-1-1.
"We are going to use the world number one's power and precision and I will just knock a few tap-ins in," said 2010 US Open winner McDowell.
Team captains Davis Love and Jose Maria Olazabal announced the pairings on Thursday for the 39th Ryder Cup during a festive outdoor ceremony in front of the clubhouse at the Medinah Country Club.
The Irish contingent is going up against rookie Snedeker and veteran Furyk, who is making his eighth straight appearance but has a less than stellar record with 15 losses, eight wins and four halves in Ryder Cups.
But don't try and tell Furyk and Snedeker they are the underdogs in this contest because they believe they have a winning game plan for Friday.
"We got a good idea of our strategy, what we are going to do on every hole and an idea of how we are going to read putts and help each other," Snedeker said Thursday.
"I am looking forward to getting out there and having a lot of fun tomorrow."
Snedeker said he's excited to go toe-to-toe with McIlroy and McDowell.
"It will be a tough match, they are two of the best players in the world, they have a close relationship and they are going to come out swinging in the first match of the day," Snedeker said.
"I think my game stacks up against anybody's right now and I think Jim's does, too, so we are going to give them a hard match tomorrow and try to get that win."
Both McIlroy and McDowell were surprised by Love's decision to go with that pairing, especially starting FedEx Cup winner Snedeker.
"To be honest they are not the opponents we were expecting," McIlroy said. "We know that their team is so strong all the way through but I was a little surprised to see a rookie in their first group."
Said McDowell, "I was expecting Phil (Mickelson) and Keegan (Bradley) to go first but obviously Davis has his strategies.
"Jim is a hell of a player, a seasoned campaigner and Brandt is obviously on a hell of a high after last week and winning the FedEx Cup."
McDowell said getting that first point is crucial because it helps set the tone for the rest of the day.
"It’s huge," he said. "We know they are all important but we really feel that it is very important to make a fast start."
Woods Happy to Be with Stricker Again
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept 27, 2012 (AFP) - Tiger Woods expressed his satisfaction at resuming his partnership with Steve Stricker in the opening foursomes of the Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on Friday morning.
Playing in his seventh Ryder Cup, but first on US soil in eight years, Woods and Stricker will go out in the fourth and final of the opening foursomes up against English pair Justin Rose and Ian Poulter.
Woods had struggled to find a steady partner in previous Ryder Cups, but hit up an understanding with quiet man Stricker at Celtic Manor two years ago when they won two and lost one going on to have success also in the Presidents Cup.
"Yeah, Strick and I are very comfortable together," Woods said.
"We've had some pretty good success over the years, and we both have been playing well.
"Our captain said that would be a good fit, and he wanted us out there to anchor. We've got a great match up in Rosey and Poults."
Asked what he thought about going out in the fourth and final match of the morning, having played in the lead match in each of his first four Ryder Cup appearances, Woods said that he had been "all over the place."
"I've been first, second, third and fourth. It's just a matter of what our captain thinks is best for the team," he said.
"In either case, we've got to go out there and earn our point for the team. That's what Strick and I are going to try to do tomorrow."
Phil Mickelson, who plays with rookie Keegan Bradley against unbeaten Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia, said he would aim to feed of the energy of his younger partner, just as he did with Anthony Kim four years ago at Valhalla, Kentucky.
"We have a very difficult match against Luke and Sergio," he said.
"Luke has I don't think ever lost in foursomes and we are hopefully going to change that. But we are really excited about the matchup tomorrow and we are excited to get the matches started."
Former world No.1 Donald, who has lived in the Chicago area for the last 15 years, said that he and Garcia were close friends and ready to defend their unblemished record.
"I'm really looking forward to it. We've obviously both got unbeaten records in foursomes and we have played well together in the past.
"We've got a great record together and it should be a great match against two very good players in Phil and Keegan."
The match between Europeans Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari against Americans Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson is a clash between two brand new pairings with the Italian the only surprise selection from skipper Jose Maria Olazabal.
"It's fantastic for me and a huge honour for me to play with Lee, a guy playing his eighth Ryder Cup. He has more experience than anyone else and it is a great feeling to be paired with him," he said.
Johnson said that he felt he and Dufner, noted for seldom showing his emotions, were a match of similar types.
"Similar games, similar demeanors," he said.
"I mean, I'm pretty calm and cool out there. He might be borderline dead, but I think it's a good thing. I think we just kind of have the same mentality out there, and I think we're going to be a good team."
Olazabal Sheds Tear for Seve As Ryder Cup Opens
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept 27, 2012 (AFP) - Jets roared overhead, flags were raised and national anthems sung as the biennial battle between Europe and the USA kicked into high gear Thursday with the Ryder Cup opening ceremonies.
The one hour outdoor ceremony on the stage in front of the clubhouse of the Medinah Country Club began with a heart-warming poem from master of ceremonies Justin Timberlake and ended with the announcement of the pairings for Friday's opening matches.
"Welcome to the 39th Ryder Cup," said US team captain Davis Love. "We are going to have three incredible days of golf here."
American Olympic swimming hero Michael Phelps gave the the opening speech before handing over the microphone to American singer-actor Timberlake, a six-handicapper who recited a poem about golf while being accompanied by the Chicago Youth Symphony orchestra.
The teams were then led onto the stage by a military band. The wives and girlfriends arriving first and taking their chairs. They were followed by the players from both teams dressed in matching gray suits. The European team wore blue ties and the US players had gray ones.
The site of the American players brought the first chants of "U-S-A, U-S-A" from the gallery.
Phil Weaver, chairman of the European Professional Golf Association, paid tribute in his speech to Seve Ballesteros who died in May of last year from a brain tumour.
Weaver's speech brought a tearful reaction from Ballesteros' close friend and former playing partner Jose Maria Olazabal, who is captain of the Europe team.
When it was his turn to speak Olazabal talked warmly of Ballesteros.
"How wonderful it is to be at Medinah Country Club for the 2012 Ryder Cup," Olazabal said. "In my career I have come to realize how unique the Ryder Cup is. When I started playing golf I never thought I could be in this position.
"I can mention a great friend in Seve. He was a special man and I believe Seve represented the core of Ryder Cup values. I learned from him what true passion is all about. Seve we miss you."
"On our stage we have the best 24 golfers on either side of the Atlantic," Olazabal said. "
"I know how much you (USA) want this lovely, gold trophy back - but we have every intention of taking it back home with us."
As Olazabal spoke there were cries of "Oles" and people waving European flags in the gallery.
Simpson Set to Make An Impression
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept 27, 2012 (AFP) - US Open champ Webb Simpson is ready to make an impact in the 2012 Ryder Cup as one of four rookies on the US team.
"I've represented my country in the Walker Cup and Presidents Cup, but to finally do it in the Ryder Cup is a dream come true," Simpson said during Thursday's practice round. "I'm going to draw from Walker Cup, Presidents Cup, and just remember certain things that surprised me.
"More than anything, we just kind of dumb it down to it's just golf. It's A to B and hit it on the green and try to make a putt."
Simpson, who came from four back in the final round to win the US Open, is hoping to put the finishing touches on his stellar 2012 season with a Ryder Cup victory.
"I made over $6 million last year and I made about half that this year, but I feel like I'm a better player than I was last year," he said.
"In my heart I really feel like I'm better than I was in 2011 and so that lets me sleep a lot better at night.
"I've played better. I just haven't been as consistent. That's something I want to get better at next year."
The 27-year-old Simpson has been on a steady rise to stardom. He earned his first two victories in the 2011 season, winning the Wyndham Championship and the Deutsche Bank Championship.
He also added a new member to his family this year.
"I've had a great year on the golf course, but it's been a much better year off," he said. "We welcomed James into the world last year, last February, and our daughter, Willow, was born in July.
"I feel like a very blessed person, just to have the family that I have."
Simpson said Friday's start of play can't come soon enough for the four rookies.
"Being a long week, it's Thursday now and I think we're all ready to kind of get things going and get the competition started," he said.
Simpson said he wouldn't mind being paired with Bubba Watson, who likes to have fun on the course.
"I'm still trying to figure him out," Simpson said. "We're good friends away from golf, and I think that's what makes us a good team.
"He jokes around. But he still is a competitor. You can't win the Masters and not be a very tough competitor.
"You put him and me together where I am a little more serious, he kind of relaxes me. I help him focus on golf and draw him back to what we need to be looking at.
"He's definitely a clown and everybody laughs at him, and he's a good guy to have on the team."
Weepy Watson Bleeds Red, White and Blue
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept 27, 2012 (AFP) - Masters champion Bubba Watson is expecting an emotional roller-coaster ride and says the tears he shed at Tuesday's captains dinner probably won't be his last during Ryder Cup week.
The 33-year-old from Bagdad, Florida is a patriot at heart especially when it comes to representing the United States at the Ryder Cup.
"Well, it's the United States flag," Watson said.
"I'm probably going to cry at some point this week because I just cry every week it seems like.
"So there's going to be good shots I'm going to cry about, there's going to be bad shots I cry about, and hopefully I do everything in a respectful way.
"No player out here from either team is trying to disrespect anybody, it's just for the love of that little trophy that we want to win and we want to win for our countries."
Watson is the type who wears his heart on his sleeve. And he admits it is going to be difficult to keep his emotions in check this week, especially when he thinks about his father who passed away in 2010 a couple of weeks after that year's Ryder Cup following a courageous battle with throat cancer.
"The last time my dad watched me play golf was in the Ryder Cup two years ago," Watson said following his practice round on Thursday. "So I am looking forward to it. I want to win this and honour my dad who's not here anymore. So there's a lot of things going on in my head that are normally not going on."
Watson lost a play-off to Martin Kaymer at the 2010 PGA Championship before capturing his first major at this April's Masters. His recovery from the trees in a sudden death playoff is arguably the shot of the year.
Watson says he plans to feed off the super-charged atmosphere this week and the chants of "USA" from the partisan galleries. But he won't let it overwhelm him.
"This is my first time in the US with the crowd behind me, so I'll probably get really excited," he said. "I will need to just slow down, walk slower, do a lot of things slower, just so I can get back to some kind of normalcy.
"I've got to just calm myself down and just be focused on one shot at a time."
Watson is friends with some of the European players but that doesn't mean he is going to go easy on them once the first ball is struck on Friday.
There have been some strong words this week from both sides in the build up to the Ryder Cup, but Watson said people shouldn't confuse the competitive spirit of a professional athlete with over-the-top patriotism.
"It's just that trophy," Watson said. "It's funny, it's just that little trophy we want to win so bad. So it's really not a dislike for the other team.
"It's just a dislike for any opponent, no matter who the opponent is.
"It's just like the FedEx (Cup). We were mad at (Brandt) Snedeker because he won, and I wanted to win it. But now I'm pulling for that guy. It's funny.
"For me it's the one chance I get to represent our country and hopefully represent our country well.
"So the passion just comes from that; all the people that pull for me, cheer for me; even if people that don't like me in the US, now they cheer for me in this one event."
Watson said the US team has tried to stay loose this week by playing table tennis. Some of the contests can get pretty intense, especially when Watson squares off against fellow lefty Phil Mickelson, who despises losing to anyone.
"He hates any time I beat him because I am just this goofy left-handed kid named Bubba.
"So anytime I can beat Phil Mickelson I like to rub it in his face. So on that one, I do disrespect my teammates when it comes to ping pong."