The Ryder Cup returns this weekend at the notoriously difficult Bethpage Black golf course in New York, with Europe arriving as the defending champions after their emphatic win in Rome in 2023.
Team USA, led by captain Keegan Bradley, is desperate to reclaim the trophy on home soil, while Luke Donald brings back a near-identical European squad anchored by Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland.
The opening session of Foursomes, always a tone-setter for the week, will reveal early strategy and partnerships that can swing momentum fast. Every decision, from trusted duos to surprise pairings, will shape the narrative of golf’s fiercest team competition.
Ryder Cup Captains Confirm Friday Morning Foursomes Matches
Here are the pairings for Friday morning Foursomes (all times ET):
- Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton vs Bryson DeChambeau & Justin Thomas [7.10 a.m]
- Ludvig Aberg & Matt Fitzpatrick vs Scottie Scheffler & Russell Henley [7.26 a.m.]
- Rory McIlroy & Tommy Fleetwood vs Collin Morikawa & Harris English [7.42 a.m.]
- Robert McIntyre & Viktor Hofland vs Xander Schauffele & Patrick Cantlay [7.58 a.m.]
From the 12-man squads, here’s who is not featuring in Friday morning’s session:
Team USA (4 sitting):
- Sam Burns
- J.J. Spaun
- Ben Griffin
- Cameron Young
Team Europe (4 sitting):
- Justin Rose
- Shane Lowry
- Sepp Straka
- Rasmus Højgaard
Those players will be expected to feature in the afternoon four-balls, where captains typically rotate in the rested men to balance energy and give rookies a chance to find their footing.
“We want to start strong, obviously. We know in matchplay, you have to get off to a good start,” Team USA captain Luke Donald said. “They know how to win. [Rahm and Hatton] are a strong partnership, and we’re very happy to send them out first.”
Bradley, meanwhile, said of DeChambeau and Thomas heading out first: “Besides the fact they’re both phenomenal players, they bring a spark to our team. Bryson is an incredible teammate in the lockeroom, and we want him to lead our team out with Justin on the first match.”
Bethpage Black will provide a daunting test as the Ryder Cup gets underway, with Europe defending their crown and the U.S. desperate to respond on home soil. McIlroy and Fleetwood take on Morikawa and English in a clash of precision, while Åberg and Fitzpatrick face world No.1 Scheffler alongside Henley. Hovland and MacIntyre round out the session against Cantlay and Schauffele. With several stars sitting out until the afternoon, early momentum could prove decisive in golf’s fiercest rivalry.
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