Keegan Bradley said he was seeking “fire” from his United States team from the outset of the Ryder Cup after selecting Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas to open the hosts’ attempt to reclaim the trophy in New York. In what is likely to be an emotionally charged opening foursomes clash, DeChambeau and Thomas take on Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton at 12.10pm BST (7.10am ET).
“Besides the fact that he’s a world-class player and one of our best on the team, we wanted to send out a fiery group to lead us out with these fans that have been waiting years to see this tournament,” said Bradley, the US captain, when asked about DeChambeau’s position.
“Bryson just relishes these opportunities. He wants them. He’s one of these guys you hear on a basketball team who wants the ball for the last shot. He’s one of those guys and so is Justin. Let’s not forget, Justin is the heartbeat of our team. They are to go out and be a really tough team to beat.” Bradley raced the length of the 18th hole at Bethpage Black on Friday afternoon, waving a US flag to whip up spectators.
“I’m stoked to be playing with Bryson,” said Thomas. “I think trying to set the tone in that first match is always important. I think all of us were in agreement that Bryson needed to be in that first match, and being his partner, I’m very excited that we get to do that together.”
Match two of the foursomes will see the world No 1, Scottie Scheffler, play alongside Russell Henley for the US. Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick will represent Europe. This marked a slightly surprising call by the European captain Luke Donald, given Åberg combined with Viktor Hovland to trounce Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, 9&7, in a 2023 foursomes contest.
Bryson DeChambeau revs up the crowd during practice. He has been chosen to lead out the US in the morning foursomes. Photograph: Paul Childs/Reuters
Hovland instead has Robert MacIntyre as his partner in match four, with Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay in opposition. The penultimate game sees Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood don European colours against Collin Morikawa and Harris English. “I think it’s our strongest eight to go in foursomes,” said Donald. “We have so many options that it’s really quite fun for me as a captain.”
Europe’s captain denied he intended to jab at the US team during his opening ceremony speech on Wednesday. In that, Donald made multiple references to money. A theme of the Ryder Cup buildup has been the payment that will be made directly to the US players for the first time. “It wasn’t directed at the US,” said Donald. “My speech was directed at my players. I wrote that speech six months ago. We have been very consistent where we stand and what we play for. We’re not concerned about what the US are doing.”
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The foursomes selections mean Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Rasmus Højgaard and Justin Rose will sit out the morning for Europe. JJ Spaun, Sam Burns, Ben Griffin and Cameron Young are the US foursome absentees. All but Burns of that American quartet are Ryder Cup rookies.
