Golf:An expectant media will have to wait a little longer for a showdown between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods after they avoided each other in the draw for Friday morning's fourballs at the Ryder Cup. A showdown had been eagerly anticpated after the youngster suggested he would relish meeting the world number one, who reciprocated when asked about the 21-year-old's thinly veiled challenge.
Announcing his pairings at the opening ceremony, European captain Colin Montgomerie went for the experience of Lee Westwood and form of US PGA champion Martin Kaymer in the top match, where Corey Pavin opted for Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.
The Northern Irish pairing of McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, which Monty described as the “worst kept secret” of this year’s tournament, is next and they will take on Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.
“We have a very strong pairing in Lee and Martin to start us off and then we’re following them. Hopefully we can get some blue on the board early,” said McIlroy.
“It didn’t matter which way we put them out, our team is so strong,” added McDowell, who beat Cink at Valhalla in 2008 and will be “looking for a repeat tomorrow”.
When Corey Pavin announced another expected pairing of Woods alongside the ever dependable Steve Stricker, Di Stewart (MC) asked why he put the pair out third. “Because the first two slots were already taken,” was the response from the American captain, whose selection will see them play Englishmen Ian Poulter and rookie Ross Fisher.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Irish Open champion Fisher on getting a match-up with Woods. “Like Poults said we’ve played together in the World Cup and played well.”
“If ever there was a match you want to play, it’s against two of the best players. They are world class players. It’s going to be one hell of a match, I cannot wait,” added Poulter.
With Pádraig Harrington and Luke Donald paired in the final match of the morning it means all three Irish players will be in action for the first session. The two European wild cards will take on a rather surprising double act in Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton, two rookies sent out to do battle in the bottom match.
“It’s obviously very important to get off to a good start, so hopefully our team-mates do a good job ahead of us and we back that up,” added Harrington, who with a win would double his tally from the last two Ryder Cups.
“Luke’s consistency, especially on some of the tougher holes, enables me to open up a little more and have a bit of freedom. We can trust each other which is always good in a partnership.”
Montgomerie has already expressed surprise at his counterpart's selection for the final game and has even suggested Europe are favourites to come out on top after the morning session.
"The way the pairings have come out I'm very excited about the morning fourball play," he said. "I just can't wait to get the thing started.
"I am surprised. Two rookies out in the final match - it's been done before I suppose, but I'm surprised at that and I'm sure Luke and Pádraig weren't expecting to play the two that they are.
"Who knows? All 12 players, we know they're good, we know they're very good, but that was a surprise and will be talked about in the press shortly."
Morning fourballs(Europe first)
7.45amLee Westwood and Martin Kaymer v Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson
8amRory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell v Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar
8.15amIan Poulter and Ross Fisher v Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods
8.30amLuke Donald and Pádraig Harrington v Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton