Woods Paired With Reed For Ryder Cup’s Four-Balls Match
SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France – Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed will team up Friday morning on Day 1 in the 42nd Ryder Cup Match at Le Golf National.
The American duo will oppose Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood of Europe in fourballs (best ball) competition at 2:55 a.m. ET.
It hardly comes as a surprise. Woods and Reed played three practice rounds together. During the final session Thursday, they toured the front nine and played alternate shot, accompanied by Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, who did the same.
Later that afternoon, the opening ceremony was held. Captains, vice-captains and players from Europe and America were introduced. Woods drew loud cheers and chants of “Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!”
Afterward, lineups were presented. Afternoon fourball (alternate shot) matches will be announced following the morning session.
The format remains the same Saturday morning and afternoon. On Sunday, 12 singles matches will be contested.
In all, 28 points are available. However, as defending champion, the U.S. needs only a tie to retain the trophy.
Woods is participating in his eighth Ryder Cup, but first since 2012. He has an overall record of 13-17-3.
Woods is 4-1-2 in singles play, but 9-16-1 with partners, having been paired with 12 different players.
He would like to improve those numbers.
“Looking back on my entire Ryder Cup career, that’s not something that I have really enjoyed or liked seeing,” Woods said. “We haven’t won as a U.S. squad here in 25 years on foreign soil, so hopefully that will change this week.”
Le Golf National, located just outside Paris, is used annually for the European Tour’s French Open. As a result, most of Europe’s 12-member team is well acquainted with 7,183-yard, par-71 Albatros Course, located southwest of Central Paris.
Day 1 matches will be shown from 2 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on the Golf Channel.
Friday Morning Pairings (ET)
2:10 a.m. – Brooks Koepka-Tony Finau (U.S.) vs. Justin Rose-Jon Rahm (E).
2:25 a.m. – Dustin Johnson-Rickie Fowler (U.S.) vs. Rory McIlroy-Thorbjorn Olesen (E).
2:40 a.m. – Justin Thomas-Jordan Spieth (U.S.) vs. Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton (E).
2:55 a.m. – Tiger Woods-Patrick Reed (U.S.) vs. Franceso Molinari-Tommy Fleetwood (E).
