Day 1 Ryder Cup foursomes sure to produce fireworks

• By Jay Coffin
• Sep 27, 2012 6:23 PM ET

MEDINAH, Ill. – European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal provided no surprises when announcing his Friday opening foursomes session pairings.

The same cannot be said for U.S. captain Davis Love III, who will send out three Ryder Cup rookies in the difficult foursomes format.

Olazabal went with his top pairing first, sending out Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in the opening match at 8:20 a.m. ET. Love opted to send out two captain’s picks – Jim Furyk and Ryder Cup rookie Brandt Snedeker.

The second match at 8:35 a.m. ET should be one of the morning’s most interesting pitting Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia from Europe against Phil Mickelson and Ryder Cup rookie Keegan Bradley.

Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari is the third European match against another Ryder Cup rookie JasonDufner and Zach Johnson.

To no one’s surprise Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker are anchoring the morning session for the American’s. They are matched against the English duo of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose.

For Europe, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer, Paul Lawrie and Nicolas Colsaerts are sitting out the opening session. Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar will not play for the U.S.

Friday morning foursomes

8:20AM ET: Rory McIlroy-Graeme McDowell (Europe) vs. Jim Furyk-Brandt Snedeker (U.S.)

8:35AM ET: Luke Donald-Sergio Garcia (Europe) vs. Phil Mickelson-Keegan Bradley (U.S.)

8:50AM ET: Lee Westwood-Francesco Molinari (Europe) vs. Jason Dufner-Zach Johnson (U.S.)

9:05AM ET: Ian Poulter- Justin Rose (Europe) vs. Tiger Woods-Steve Stricker (U.S.)