CHASKA (UNITED STATES) - Europe's Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson will face Americans Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed in Friday's opening Ryder Cup foursomes match, a showdown of two unbeaten duos from the 2014 event.
(L-R)Justin Rose from England , Andy Sullivan from England, Henrik Stenson from Sweden and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland playing for Team Europe arrive during a practice round ahead of 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Course
Europe seeks an unprecedented fourth victory in a row over the host United States at Hazeltine. The Europeans have won six of the past seven and eight of the last 10 meetings in the biennial team golf rivalry.
England's Rose, who won the first Olympic title in 112 years last month, and Sweden's Stenson, the reigning British Open champion, went 3-0 together in Europe's win two years ago at Gleneagles, winning once in alternate shot foursomes and twice in four-ball.
Spieth, a two-time major winner, and Reed, who won respect for his fiery style when paired with fellow newcomer Spieth in 2014, won twice in four-ball and halved a foursomes match against Rose and Germany's Martin Kaymer in Scotland.
The second match in the opening session sends Americans Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler against Rory McIlroy, the world number three from Northern Ireland, and England's Andy Sullivan, one of six newcomers to the Ryder Cup on the European squad.
Mickelson will match Nick Faldo with the most appearances in Ryder Cup history when he tees off in his 11th.
Kaymer and Spain's Sergio Garcia will play PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker and two-time major champion Zach Johnson in the third match.
The final morning confrontation pits world number two Dustin Johnson and Olympic bronze medalist Matt Kuchar of the United States against England's Lee Westwood and Belgium's Thomas Pieters.
Four four-ball matches will follow Friday afternoon with Saturday also offering four matches in each discipline ahead of Sunday's 12 concluding singles matches.
Europe need only 14 of the 28 points on offer to retain the Cup while the US side must earn 14 1/2 to take the trophy.