Steve Palmer’s Ryder Cup blog: Day one foursomes tips

Steve Palmer is the Racing Post’s resident golf expert and, with day one of the 2016 Ryder Cup’s foursomes confirmed, he looks at the best value bets from the first round of the USA v Europe.

So, who does Steve fancy to draw first blood at Hazeltine in this team golf event? Read on as gives his exclusive day one foursomes tips to Coral…

1.35pm: Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed versus Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson

Both Ryder Cup captains have put their strongest pairings out first, creating the match of the day. Spieth and Reed are unbeaten in four outings together for the United States, Rose and Stenson have a 100 percent record from the three times they have been paired. Should be an epic duel, with a halved contest a massive runner at 11-2 with Coral.

1.50pm: Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler versus Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan

Europe’s best player is tasked with guiding Ryder Cup rookie Andy Sullivan through the first session. McIlroy is full of confidence, having won two of his last three events, but Sullivan has been in poor form. The brilliance of McIlroy should be enough to swing this match Europe’s way at evens with Coral. Phil Mickelson has a poor Ryder Cup record and is under immense pressure, while Rickie Fowler has been struggling in recent weeks.

2.05pm: Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson versus Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer

Europe captain Darren Clarke has created a new pairing – five-time Ryder Cup winner Garcia with dual Major champion Kaymer. It should prove extremely effective as the Spaniard and the German make so few long-game errors, the recipe for success in foursomes. Garcia’s foursomes record is fantastic and this fresh alliance can be fancied to earn a point for Europe at evens with Coral.