Harrington and Karlsson lead off
Nick Faldo to send off Open champion Padraig Harrington first
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Everton were held 2-2 by Standard Liege in a pulsating match at Goodison Park in the Uefa Cup first round this evening. |  |
Friday, 19, Sep 2008 09:45
European captain Nick Faldo has named Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson as his first pairing for the opening day of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla.
The two-time Open champion will go off with the Swede, who is the most recent winner of an event having taken the Mercedes-Benz Championship crown last week, in what looks to be a strong opening partnership to face American veteran Phil Mickelson and rookie Anthony Kim.
England's Paul Casey, who was rumoured as being groomed to partner in-form Irishman Harrington, goes off with Sweden's Henrik Stenson in the second pair against Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan.
An all-English pairing of Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, who are good friends away from the Tour, face Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell in the third match.
While the final contest of the morning foursomes will see a battle of the big guns between Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia for Europe and Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk of the USA.
Faldo admitted he had considered "a number of options" before finally settling on what he referred to as "a pretty strong four pairings" for the opening morning of the prestigious team tournament.
The unlucky ones to miss out for Europe were the debutant trio of Soren Hansen, Graeme McDowell and Oliver Wilson and experienced campaigner Miguel Angel Jimenez, although at least one or two of these players are expected to come in for the afternoon fourballs.
For the Americans, Ben Curtis, JB Holmes, Steve Stricker and Boo Weekley, all missed out on selection for the opening round in Kentucky as the home side look to end Europe's winning streak dating back to the end of last century.