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Ryder Cup pairings - Rahm and Garcia start Europe's bid, while McIlroy joins Poulter, but not Bryson DeChambeau in the USA

The 2021 RYDER Cup opening ceremony has been completed and team captains Steve Stricker and Padraig Harrington have announced their foursome pairings for the first day.

Team Europe's Spanish duo Jon Rahm & Sergio Garcia will be the first to tee-off as they face Team USA's Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth in match number 1.


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The brown jackets worn by Team USA made Team USA look elegant

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Team Europe takes to the stage during opening ceremony

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Padraig Harrington is Team Europe's captain

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Captain Steve Stricker aims to win the Ryder Cup again for Team USA

This will begin at 1.05pm. Next, Dustin Johnson (host) and Collin Morikawa (host) will take on Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland.

After that tie, the English duo Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick will play Brooks Koepka & Daniel Berger at 1.37pm.

Harrington has finally chosen Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter to face the challenge from Patrick Cantlay of USA and Xander Shauffele at 15.53pm.

This means that there is no place for Bryson deChambeau, the US Open 2020 champion and failed Ryder Cup debut in 2018, in the USA foursomes.

The 28-year old will need to wait and watch from the sidelines as his team-mates Tony Finau, Harris English, and Scottie Scheffler.

The foursomes for Team Europe are missing Tommy Fleetwood (Tyell Hatton), Bernd Wiesberger, and Matt Fitzpatrick.

RYDER CUP SPECIAL: GET EUROPE TO WIN AT 50/1 BONUS : GET PS30 IN FREE BETS
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Stricker and Harrington meet before the 43rd Ryder Cup

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Rory McIlroy (left), shakes hands and gets to know foursome partner Ian Poulter

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Team USA WAGs on stage during the Opening Ceremony

Europe's Rahmbo is ready and eager to lead his Ryder Cup team-mates into battle.

World No. 1 Rahm states that he recognizes his responsibility to live up to his rank and be the man Europe can rally behind.

The Spaniard was raised worshiping Seve Ballesteros, but he revealed that Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie is another of his favourite players growing-up and would love to set the tone in Europe in the same way.

Rahm stated: "Am I expecting to be one the team leaders this week?" If I said no, what kind of player would that make me? That's right.

"So yes, yes, that's what I'm up for. It's an exciting challenge that I look forward too. Our team has a lot players who have lots of experience and know how it's done. I am ready to join that group.

"And being the world's No. 1 can bring pressure or lift you up. In my case, it gives me a little more confidence because I know what I can do.


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The Team Europe WAGs - which include captains as well as vice-captains -- pose before the opening ceremony

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Team Europe WAGs on Stage

"I also won my first Major this season, over a difficult set-up at US Open. That gives me confidence.

"But I'm not the type of person to give big speeches. There are many players on the team who can be vocal enough and have done enough to be the ones that others will gravitate to for guidance.

"I don't intend to go out and actively say hello everyone, I'm now a leader, because I don’t have that huge of an ego.

"But I'll keep, hopefully, doing what I've done most of the year - I'll leave the clubs and ball to speak for themselves."

Rahm was able to beat Tiger Woods, the world No 1, in singles three years ago in Paris.

He is now the man with his target on his back. Rahmbo is ready for more action.


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Jon Rahm is up for the pressure of being world No. 1

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Rory McIlroy wave to the Wisconsin crowd during his unveiling at the Ryder Cup

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McIlroy will be partnered by Ian Poulter in the fourth match.

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Team USA is the betting favorite to win the tournament