Ryder Cup: Rory McIlroy to pair with Shane Lowry after tough start for Europe

Spanish duo Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm have gotten Pádraig Harrington's Europe off to a winning start in the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits - but Team USA are fighting back

Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy look on from the 11th green during Friday Morning Foursome Matches. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy and “The Postman” Ian Poulter did not deliver from the anchor spot Friday morning against a pair of red-hot American Ryder Cup rookies, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.

After Poulter confidently declared on the eve of the match, “it's about putting points on the board. We have done that a lot for Team Europe and we're going to do it again,” the seasoned duo was blitzed 5 down from the start at Whistling Straits in a 5-and-3 defeat that left Europe in a 3-1 hole after the opening foursomes sessions.