McIlroy and McDowell to pair up in Ryder Cup fourballs

As expected, Irish duo Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will pair up for Europe in the fourballs competition on the opening day of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

McIlroy and McDowell will go up against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar in the second match of the day and will be preceded by Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood’s clash with Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.

In another pairing that was widely expected, World number one Tiger Woods will play alongside Steve Stricker in the third match of the day and they will go up against the European pairing of Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher.

Padraig Harrington, who has reportedly been in great form in practice this week, is paired with Englishman Luke Donald in the final fourballs match. Harrington and Donald will play American duo Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton.

JOE will be tracking Day 1 live from 7.30 am in the sports section.

Day 1 fourballs:

7.45 am: Martin Kaymer/Lee Westwood v Phil Mickelson/Dustin Johnson

8.00 am: Graeme McDowell/Rory McIlroy v Stewart Cink/Matt Kuchar

8.15 am: Ian Poulter/Ross Fisher v Tiger Woods/Steve Stricker

8.30 am: Luke Donald/Padraig Harrington v Bubba Watson/Jeff Overton