McIlroy to lead off Europe

World number one Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will lead off Europe’s bid to retain the Ryder Cup in Chicago tomorrow.

The Northern Irish pair will play Jim Furyk, winner of all his five games at the Presidents Cup last year, and Brandt Snedeker, who last Sunday pulled off a £7million double of FedEx Cup and Tour Championship victories.

In the second game Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia, both unbeaten in foursomes in the match, take on Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley, like Snedeker a cup rookie.

Lee Westwood has been given Italian Francesco Molinari as his partner – they face Zach Johnson and another debutant in Jason Dufner – while Tiger Woods is kept until last by home captain Davis Love.

Woods and Steve Stricker will take on Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, who yesterday spoke of wanting to “kill” his opponents in the biennial competition.

Poulter has faced Woods twice before and lost both times, but has won eight of his other nine games.

The action starts at 7.20am local time and the foursomes will be followed by afternoon fourballs.

Draw for the opening foursomes of the 39th Ryder Cup match, United States v Europe, at Medinah Country Club, Chicago, United States, on Friday (all times BST, US names first)

13:20 Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker v Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell

13:35 Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley v Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia

13:50 Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner v Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari

14:05 Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods v Ian Poulter and Justin Rose

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