One of the most exciting aspects of The Ryder Cup, and perhaps a captain’s greatest responsibility, is the selection of the team pairings, which offers a first-look at the player match-ups and the team dynamics on both the European and USA teams.
The first two days feature fourball matches in the morning followed by afternoon foursomes, with the home-captain Thomas Bjørn having decided the order of formats in the lead-up to the event. On Sunday, the biennial competition then turns to head-to-head singles matches for the ever-riveting conclusion.
Find out exactly when the pairings for each session will be announced.
Thursday, September 27
17:00- 18:00: Opening Ceremony - In keeping with tradition, the pairings for the first session of The 2018 Ryder Cup will be announced by each captain shortly after both teams are formally introduced at the Opening Ceremony at Le Golf National.
Friday, September 28
12:35- 13:05: Afternoon pairings submitted - As the opening session draws to a close, both Captain Bjørn and Captain Furyk will have a short window of time to make any necessary adjustments before they set their line-up for the afternoon foursomes matches, which is an alternate-shot format.
One hour after play: Saturday morning pairings submitted: Following the conclusion of Day One, both captains will have time to consult with their Vice-Captains and their players before they are required to submit the pairings for Saturday morning’s fourball matches no more than one hour after the second session is completed.
Saturday, September 29
12:35- 13:05: Afternoon pairings submitted - With the point totals beginning to add up, each captain will have a better sense of how his players are faring, and the submission of Saturday afternoon’s foursome pairings offer Captain Bjørn one final chance to send out the strongest two-man teams, as well as rest key players before all 12 compete in the Sunday singles matches.
One hour after play: Decision time. Do you send out your strongest players first? Or hold them off in anticipation of The Ryder Cup coming down to one of the final matches? Captain Bjørn and Captain Furyk will assess the scoreboard, and their team, before setting the order in which their 12 players will be sent out. After cementing their respective line-ups, the captains will reveal who will face-off in the final session of The 2018 Ryder Cup.
