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Ryder Cup 2012: Olazabal opts for form

European Ryder Cup team captain Jose Maria Olazabal during a press conference at Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire.
European Ryder Cup team captain Jose Maria Olazabal during a press conference at Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire.

Paul Lawrie will relaunch his Ryder Cup career in today’s afternoon fourballs at Medinah after captain Jose Maria Olazabal packed his opening foursomes with his form horses.

The 43-year-old Scot is set to play in the afternoon with Belgian big-hitter Nicolas Colsaerts but it will be world No 1 Rory McIlroy who hits the opening shot of the 39th edition of the matches between Europe and the USA as Olazabal rolls out his big established pairings.

The duos of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari and Ian Poulter and Justin Rose and will form Europe’s opening salvo today on the No 3 course.

US captain Davis Love III countered with Jim Furyk and $10 million man Brandt Snedeker against the Ulstermen, Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley against Garcia and Donald, Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson play Westwood and Molinari, while Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker take on the Englishmen.

The pairings look a good mix for Europe for the opening morning, with so many of their tried and tested players with strong records in the event going, while Davis Love bloods three of his rookies straight away.

Garcia and Donald have never lost a Ryder Cup foursomes match either as a partnership in 2004 and 2006, or when playing with other partners.

Poulter and Rose teamed for two victories in 2008, while McIlroy and McDowell, the two close friends from Northern Ireland, joined for a point and a half two years ago.

Westwood has won 17 points out of a possible 26 in foursomes and fourballs in his seven Ryder Cups, and the choice of Italy’s Molinari as his partner is the only real surprise selection by Olazabal.

The captains’ speeches were easily the highlight of a rather awkward opening ceremony where a flyover of US military aircraft actually failed to fly over the course.

Host Justin Timberlake’s microphone initially didn’t work while there was the usual interminable naming of backroom officials, until the captains saved the day.Read Steve Scott’s take on the first day’s play in Saturday’s CourierIn his opening speech Olazabal spoke emotionally about Seve Ballesteros, who died earlier this year.

”He was a special man,” said Olazabal, having wept when his friend had been mentioned by an earlier speaker. “I believe Seve reflected the core of Ryder Cup values, being always ready and prepared to face any adversity.

“But more than anything I learned from him what true passion is all about. Seve, we miss you.”

Olazabal said he wanted his best four pairings out straight away.

“We are away from home. The crowd is on their side. They have done the set-up. We need birdies and points from the very start,” he said.

He added he did not believe Francesco Molinari’s selection was a surprise.

“He is a steady and consistent player, he drives the ball straight and is a good iron player, exactly what you need for foursomes. It is not a surprise in my mind at all.”

Davis Love said he had not tried to guess his opposing captain’s choice of pairings and had his in mind for some time.

“I think you’ll want to see how Brandt Snedeker plays leading out the team,” he said.

The US captain said his most difficult decision had been to sit down Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson but was happy with the groupings.

“I love my team, I love the pairings and I’m excited to see what happens now,” he said.