Harrington and Montgomerie to lead Ryder Cup defence
Harrington and Montgomerie to lead Ryder Cup defence
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Thursday, 21, Sep 2006 10:07
Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie will lead Europe's defence of the Ryder Cup when the tournament gets underway in Ireland tomorrow.
Captain Ian Woosnam told reporters this afternoon that the same pairing that broke the back of the US team two years ago would again play in the opening four-ball.
Harrington and Montgomerie beat Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, America's top two players to draw first blood in what was eventually a well-deserved European win.
The Irishman and the Scot will face Woods and Jim Furyk this time around knowing that they once again face a tough opening match.
"You can put the two best players in the world together and they are not necessarily going to win," Harrington said, referring to the Mickelson-Woods pairing at Oakland Hills two years ago.
"You've got to get the four-balls and foursomes right," he added. "It's a huge part of the captain's role."
The second four-ball will see Paul Casey and Robert Karlsson take on Stewart Cink and JJ Henry.
David Toms and Brett Wetterich face the all Spanish team of Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal, while Europe's wild card picks Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood go up against Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco.
Friday's four-balls
Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington v Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk
Paul Casey and Robert Karlsson v Stewart Cink and JJ Henry
Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal v David Toms and Brett Wetterich
Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke v Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco