2014 Ryder Cup Day 1 Pairings Announced!

Team USA consists of Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker, and Bubba Watson.
Team Europe is comprised of Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Stephen Gallacher, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, and, of course, Rory McIlroy.
The Day 1 matches are:
Match 1, 2:35 am ET
US: Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson
Europe: Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson
Advantage: Europe.
While both Watson and Simpson are great players, they have a very tough matchup here against Rose and Stenson. Lets hope Bubba has a few of those 450 yard drives in his bag for this one!
Match 2, 2:250 am ET
US: Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker
Europe: Martin Kaymber, Thomas Bjorn
Advantage: US.
I have a nagging feeling that this is the only match the US takes on day 1. Rickie was born for this, and Walker knows how to turn it on. They will be just a bit too much for Bjorn and Kaymer.
Match 3, 3:05 am ET
US: Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed
Europe: Ian Poulter, Stephen Gallacher
Advantage: Push
Some are surprised by the pairing of 2 rookies to the Ryder Cup for team USA, but nobody can argue the potential of both Spieth and Reed here. However, the same can be said for Poulter and Gallacher. This will be the closest match of the day. We’ve all seen what Poulter can do in a Ryder Cup match…his gameplay will be the deciding factor for this match.
Match 4, 3:20 ET
US: Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley
Europe: Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia
Advantage: Europe
This is the match everyone will be talking about…and watching. Nobody can deny that Phil and Keegan are 2 of the greatest golfers the game has ever seen and are capable of pulling off a win against anyone they could be matched up against, but they really have their work cut out for them in this one. Rory and Sergio? Wow, that is about as tough as it gets. Sergio might be a jerk, but the guy has really stepped up his game as of late. And Rory…well, he’s Rory. This will be a great match but Europe’s duo will unfortunately be victorious in this one.
Sitting for Team USA will be Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, and Hunter Mahan. Europe’s bench will be occupied by Lee Westwood, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, and Graeme McDowell.
While I don’t have the greatest hope for USA’s chances, it will still be a great cup with great play all around. USA can still pull this one off, and the biggest sway factor could be from the performances of the young Spieth and Reed. This will definitely be one to watch!
GO USA!
-Joel Madison
Rory and Sergio are going to beat Keegan and Phil like they stole something, but your other predictions sound like you pulled them out of your behind. USA takes other 3 matches easy, no contest.
USA15.5, Europe 12.5. Sergio will tank on the green. Speith and Reid will both play lights out. And Michelson will have his best performance in any Ryder Cup. It’ll be close Fri and Sat but USA will pull in front in singles.