RYDER CUP FOURSOMES: Mail Sport’s predictions for the morning match-ups as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton take on Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns in a brilliant opener

• The 44th Ryder Cup tees off on Friday at the Marco Simeone Golf Club in Rome
• Team USA are looking for their first Ryder Cup win on European soil in 30 years
• Mail Sport’s RIATH AL-SAMARRAI gives his predictions ahead of Friday morning 

The 44th Ryder Cup will tee off on Friday morning at the Marco Simeone Golf Club in Rome, with Team USA bidding to prevail against Team Europe for the first time in 30 years on European soil.

The Americans, however, head into the competition having won two of the last three Ryder Cups, after cruising to victory at Whistling Straits in 2021.

Ahead of the first tee-off at 6.35am on Friday, Mail Sport’s RIATH AL-SAMARRAI takes a look at the intriguing match-ups.

The 44th Ryder Cup will tee off on Friday morning at the Marco Simeone Golf Club in Rome 

Match One: 6:35am 

Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton vs Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns 

Brilliant match-up. Scheffler is world No 1, Burns is the reigning champion of the WGC Match Play and they are close friends. Up against them are the most fiery men on either side. 

Rahm and Hatton have played together only once before in the Cup but are likely to thrive in this environment.

Prediction: Europe

Jon Rahm (L) and Tyrell Hatton (R) have played together only once before in the Ryder Cup

Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler (R) is world No 1 and is close friends with partner Sam Burns (L)

Match Two: 6:50am 

Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg vs Max Homa and Brian Harman

Donald has gone with an all-Scandinavian pair, unleashing a fearless prodigy in Aberg alongside Hovland, the world No 3. 

Harman, the Open champion, is a monstrously good putter, which is worth its weight in gold, but Hovland and Aberg is the most exciting partnership of the session.

Prediction: Europe

Max Homa (R) and Brian Harman (L) should do well, with the latter a monstrously good putter

But Scandinavian pair Viktor Hovland (L) and Ludvig Aberg (R) make up a fearsome opponent

Match Three: 7:05am

Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka vs Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa 

Folk have doubted Lowry, who is fired up here with a point to prove. Alongside him, Straka is a superb driver, which will help greatly on this course. 

Fowler has had a great season of restoration and partners one of the best iron players in golf — a tough match.

Prediction: USA

Shane Lowry (L) will be fired up with a point to prove along with his partner Sepp Straka (R)

However, Team USA duo Rickie Fowler (R) and Collin Morikawa (L) should edge Match Three

Match Four: 7:20am

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood vs Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 

Cantlay and Schauffele are a brilliant team. They won both their foursomes matches in 2021, including the demolition of McIlroy and Ian Poulter. 

McIlroy and Fleetwood will mesh well — the driving distances of McIlroy and Fleetwood’s approaches is rich with potential.

Prediction: USA

Rory McIlroy (R) and Tommy Fleetwood (L) will work together but could struggle in Match Four

USA’s Xander Schauffele (R) and Patrick Cantlay (L) won both their foursomes matches in 2021

HOW IT ALL WORKS

There are 28 points available over the next three days, one for each match. As Ryder Cup holders, the USA only need a tie to retain the trophy; Europe must take 14.5 points to win the match outright to regain it.

Day 1 – Friday (8 points available)

• 6.35am -7.20am: (GMT) 4x foursomes matches

Each team has one ball and pairs play alternate shots. The lowest score wins the hole; if they tie the hole is halved. The winners take one point, if the match is drawn they take a half each.

• 11.25am-12.10pm: 4x fourball matches

Each player has their own ball and the lowest score counts for that team.. Again, the lowest score wins the hole; if both Europe and the US register the same lowest, it is halved.

• 5pm: Approximate finish to day 1.

Day 2 – Saturday (8 points available)

• 6.35am-7.20am: 4x foursomes matches.

• 11.25am-12.10pm: 4x fourball matches.

• 5pm: Approximate finish

Day 3 – Sunday (12 points available)

• 10.35am: 12x singles matches

All 12 players play one from the opposition, with a point available for a win.

• 4pm: Approximate finish

TV: LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event. Coverage begins 6am Friday and Saturday, and 9am on Sunday.

Highlights: BBC2 at 8.30pm Friday and Saturday, 7.30pm on Sunday

Radio: talkSPORT2: 6am on Friday and Saturday, 9.30am Sunday. BBC 5 Live: 9am Friday, 6am Saturday, 10am Sunday.

Highlights: BBC2 at 8.30pm Friday and Saturday, 7.30pm on Sunday

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