Ryder Cup Day One Preview

So its finally here. The pairings are out, the course is cut (to Zinger's prescription) and we're all set.

A few observations from today's practice rounds. We saw Nick play his foursome pairings out there today - and they all played 18 holes again. The US played the same fourballs again and Zinger's foursomes sort of played together. I say sort of because Boo Weekley played on his own, leaving Furyk, Perry and Holmes to play in a threeball, which Furyk left after only 5 holes. Strange preparation for Perry and Furyk who haven't played the closing hoes together in foursomes format.

The Americans only played 9 today and I think that will make a difference on the competitive days. The Europeans have been out there playing 18 holes a day and conditioning themselves. The Americans have played 18, 9 and 9 largely, although Kim has only played 9 each day, and under the heat of this Kentucky sun, that could tell towards the end of 18 or 36 holes. I discussed this with one of Faldo's aides and Padraig Harrington's former caddie this morning and he said that he expects only Westwood and Garcia to play all five rounds. He also said, although he expects Padraig to lift his game for the main event, Padraig is looking jaded after his exploits this summer. And on the whole, the Europeans look like athletes - fitter and leaner and able to perform to maximum potential for longer, while the US are carrying a few spare tyres and that will zap enery in this heat.

But onto the foursomes and I'm going for a bold prediction - I don't see a single US win tomorrow morning. I guess it isn't that bold as three of them are favourites and I'm going for a draw in the one where they have the US slight favourites.

And that is the first match. As discussed Anthony Kim has only played 9 holes a day - and has only played the front 9 once, which could be another early factor. Lefty is 2-2-2 in foursomes, while Padraig has lost one more match. Karlsson didn't play foursomes last time out, but halved both fourballs he played in, and so I can see another stalemate on the cards, leaving Karlsson and Kim both still looking for their first Ryder Cup win. Tie 11/2 (WON -3.25 - Europe were never down in this match, but Mickelson and Kim came together well to ensure the spoils were shared)

Paul Casey has only lost 1 of his 6 Ryder Cup matches, which was in the singles on his debut, and Henrik Stenson halved his one foursomes appearance at the K Club. Justin Leonard is yet to win a foursomes match after three attempts, losing the majority, and Hunter will ably support him, but I don't see them having the firepower to match Casey on the longer holes. Europe 10/11 (LOST -4.25 - Casey was poor, summed up by his tee shot into the creek on 15 to go dormie 3 down)

Now of the Americans I do like Stewart Cink's uncomplicated approach, but he has a horrible foursomes record of just 1.5 points from 5 matches, and Chad Campbell has 2 halves from his 2 games. So I don't see them getting a full point at all. And they are up against a pairing that has been obvious since Tuesday. They are good mates, they've both soaked up the atmosphere, charmed the crowds, and Poulter will be so keen to get that win on the board that will silence anyone who still thinks Darren Clarke should be here. Justin Rose is the reliable partner anyone would love to play foursomes with and I can see these guys registering the first blue points and enjoying the ride back for lunch from the furthest point of the course - the 15th green. Europe 10/11 (LOST -5.25 - the Europeans should have wrapped this up at 3up after 7, but poor chips on 11 and 13 meant it went down to the wire where Rose's poor approach ultimately cost Europe the match)

While many pundits are saying the top game is the one that will set the tone, this is the one that will have the biggest gallery. And this just had Europe victory writte all over it. Azinger will be hoping the hometown boy can come goodand the crowd will fire up the biggest underdogs of the morning. But the crowd wanted to see Kenny and JB, and while they may still see that in the afternoon, this match up hasn't looked obvious as Jim has got on and done his own thing despite playing with Perry all week - right down to only playing 5 holes this morning. Sergio is the guy the US crowds love and he is 8 wins from 8 in foursomes which is just an awesome record. Westwood's isn't half bad either with 7 points from 10 in the format. While Furyk has won 1 from 5 attempts and Kenny failed to register anything in any format on his previous Ryder Cup appearance. These guys won't be far behind Poulter and Rose in for lunch and ready to go out again. Europe 8/11. (LOST -6.25 - Westwood and Garcia didnt play well but still came away with a half. A spark from either of them and we could have been in. But Perry putted excellently and Furyk played with a passion not seen from him before in the Ryder Cup)

Unfortunately the ban on mobiles and blackberries on course is likely to make it difficult for me to post on the afternoon session, but depending on pairings obviously, I will be looking to back Garcia, Westwood and Jiminez, while potentially opposing Harrington and Stenson, especially if they come up against Stewart Cink who is unbeaten in 5 fourball matches, although Jim Furyk's half point from 6 fourball matches means he's a big lay for me.

I'll be on course from 7.30 and I'm sure back in the UK there could be a few late lunches, so enjoy the feast that follows. If you don't pick up your emails at weekends - my posts on the final two days will be available at citypunter.blogspot.com