Ryder Cup: No Shane Lowry on first morning as Europe kick off with Spanish duo in opening match

In the first match in Friday fourballs Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, the USA’s most successful pair in Paris three years ago bid to get the hosts off to a flier

Team USA captain Steve Stricker shakes hands with Team Europe captain Padraig Harrington during the opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. Picture: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Europe face a massive task against a powerful US squad at Whistling Straits but Pádraig Harrington is banking on the new Spanish Armada of Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm to give Europe a winning start in the foursomes.

The Dubliner has called on world No 1 Rahm and Europe’s record points scorer Garcia to take down the high-powered duo of pals Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in the top match as they look to follow in the footsteps of Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal as an iconic European pairing.