A quick start has been elusive for Team USA in recent Ryder Cup competitions. With six rookies on the squad, it is imperative today in the 37th Ryder Cup.
To that end, U.S. captain Paul Azinger will send perhaps his two best players out first at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. Teeing off at 8:05 in foursomes (alternate shot) will be Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim, facing Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson.
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“Mickelson called me up and said he’d love to play with [Kim],” said Azinger. “But so did about six other guys.”
Azinger has paired up Texans Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan for the second foursomes match against Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey. Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell will play Brits Justin Rose and Ian Poulter.
The final matchup will be the loudest as Kentucky native Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk meet Euro power combo, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia. In his career, Garcia is 8-0 in foursomes.
“I like the fact that Kenny Perry gets to play Sergio in an everything-to-gain, nothing-to-lose mindset,” said Azinger. “Kenny Perry will go out there and be freewheeling.”
Europe’s recent edge has been most pronounced in foursomes, where the U.S. has won only three of the last 16 matches. Alternate shot requires more teamwork than the other Ryder Cup disciplines (four-ball and singles).
Teamwork is what Azinger needs to find to put the U.S. back on track after losing the last three Ryder Cups, including the last two by the embarrassing margin of 18.5 — 9.5.
