2014 Ryder Cup Day 1 Pairings Announced!

The pairings for day 1 in the 2014 Ryder Cup have officially been announced, and I have to admit that I’m a little worried for USA’s chances. Admittedly, most US fans have been a bit worried about this years match ever since both teams were announced, and Vegas has confirmed these fears by naming Europe almost two-to-one favorites.

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