McIlroy & Fleetwood Reunite in Ryder Cup Foursomes
The Ryder Cup foursomes are set to ignite with electric partnerships as European captain Luke Donald unveils his strategy for a blistering start against the United States at Bethpage Black in New York. In a nod to past triumphs, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are reuniting in the Ryder Cup foursomes, aiming to recapture the magic that propelled Europe to victory in Rome two years ago. This high-stakes opening session on Friday promises drama, with Donald banking on proven chemistry to challenge the home advantage.
Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, the world’s top-ranked golfer and a Ryder Cup stalwart, teams up once more with England’s Fleetwood, whose seamless synergy delivered two vital points in Italy. Their ball-striking prowess and unflappable composure make them a formidable duo in the alternate-shot format of the Ryder Cup foursomes, where every drive and putt counts doubly.
Complementing this powerhouse pairing is Spain’s Jon Rahm and England’s Tyrrell Hatton, another tandem with a flawless record from Rome. As the visitors’ lead-off act, they’ll tee off first at 7:10 a.m. local time (12:10 BST), symbolizing Europe’s intent to defy history and secure a first away win since 2012. We want to start strong, Donald emphasized. Rahm and Hatton have had a lot of success together. They know how to win, they get along very well, and we’re very happy to get them out first.
Rahm, a two-time major champion, confirmed his role in Europe’s charge: I’ll be hitting the first tee shot, or actually, I think I’m the one leading us off. This marks his fourth straight Ryder Cup foursomes opener, underscoring his reliability under pressure.
Strategic Pairings in the Ryder Cup Foursomes
On the American side, captain Keegan Bradley counters with his own bold choices, pairing Bryson DeChambeau with Justin Thomas in the opening Ryder Cup foursomes match. DeChambeau, absent from the Rome loss but now a linchpin for the hosts, brings his explosive power and X-Factor ability, as Bradley calls it. The big-hitter, known for captivating crowds, might even attempt to drive the 397-yard, downhill first hole—a stunt he practiced unsuccessfully but remains optimistic about if winds favor him.
It’s definitely drivable if it’s downwind, DeChambeau said. I could get the front edge if the conditions aren’t too soft. It’s 365 yards, something like that. That’s nothing, right? Just a normal long drive shot. Bradley, supportive of the flair, noted the intricacies of foursomes: You have to factor in personalities. Golf balls are really important too, and analytical data is super helpful. So much info can help us. Everyone really wanted to play with each other. We had to narrow these down.
Europe’s lineup extends beyond the headliners. While McIlroy-Fleetwood and Rahm-Hatton anchor the morning, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick joins Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, splitting the dynamic duo from Rome. Norway’s Viktor Hovland pairs with Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, blending precision with emerging talent. Notably, former world No. 1 Justin Rose sits out the opener, as do Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Austria’s Sepp Straka, and Denmark’s rookie Rasmus Hojgaard—who steps in for his twin brother Nicolai as Europe’s sole team change.
This mix reflects Donald’s adaptive approach. It’s two years ago, Rome—players evolve, their profiles change, and you’re looking at personality match-ups, he explained. We have so many options that it’s really quite fun as a captain. But we know the US are going to be strong. They’re strong in foursomes. They have some amazing partnerships there, and we wanted to bring our best as well. This is what we feel is our best.
Why a Fast Start in Ryder Cup Foursomes Matters
The Ryder Cup foursomes have long been a barometer of overall success in this biennial showdown. History shows that momentum here can swing the entire event. At Whistling Straits in 2021, the U.S. seized the opening foursomes 3-1 on their way to a dominant 19-9 rout. In 2016 at Hazeltine, they whitewashed the Friday session 4-0, leaving Europe scrambling to recover.
Europe, however, enters with continuity on their side. Donald’s return as captain after Rome’s triumph sees 11 of the 12 victors from that squad back in action. Yet, he’s tweaking the formula, avoiding the exact pairings that stormed to a 4-0 lead at Marco Simone. This evolution aims to counter the U.S.’s home dominance—Europe has won just once on American soil in the last 13 editions.
I’ve been preparing for 21 months for this, Donald added. We understand the task in hand, how difficult it is to win away. But we have done it—we’ve won four times since 1987 to the US’s one win away. So it has been done, and we will certainly draw on those experiences.
Bethpage Black’s challenging layout—long, demanding, and crowd-fueled—amplifies the stakes. The course’s Black Course, with its narrow fairways and treacherous greens, rewards accuracy over brute force, potentially favoring Europe’s technical edge in the Ryder Cup foursomes. Weather could play a role too; any downwind assistance might tempt more aggressive plays, like DeChambeau’s opener.
As the matches unfold, expect electric atmospheres with New York fans roaring for the home team. Europe’s bid to extend their recent supremacy hinges on these early points, while the U.S. seeks to harness their depth and home-soil fire. The Ryder Cup foursomes session isn’t just the opener—it’s the spark that could light the fuse for glory.
In wrapping up, the reunion of McIlroy and Fleetwood in the Ryder Cup foursomes symbolizes Europe’s blend of nostalgia and innovation, setting the stage for an unforgettable clash. With proven winners leading the charge, the visitors are poised to make a statement. Stay tuned as this epic unfolds.
