Westwood-Kaymer lead off Europe

Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer will lead Europe’s challenge when the 38th biennial Ryder Cup gets under way on Friday

Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer will lead Europe’s bid to regain the Ryder Cup when the 38th biennial contest gets under way at Celtic Manor on Friday morning.
The Anglo-German European combination take on Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson in the opening fourballs clash, with Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell then facing Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.
Both captains had insisted they would not pre-arrange an eagerly-anticipated clash between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods and the two have duly avoided each other in the line-up.
Speaking last month, just days after Woods had finished 18 over par in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, McIlroy had said: “I would love to face him. Unless his game rapidly improves…I think anyone in the European team would fancy their chances against him.”
When told McIlroy was looking forward to a showdown, Woods had responded with a grin and the words: “Me too”. But that will have to wait.
Woods and successful President’s Cup partner Steve Stricker will face the English duo of Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher in the third match, with US captain Corey Pavin springing a surprise by putting out rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton in the final match, where they will be up against the seasoned Ryder Cup pairing of Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.

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