Ryder Cup: Paul McGinley sets out European stall ahead of opening day of play
Friday 26 September 2014 10:09, UK
European captain Paul McGinley is hoping he has made the right call with his pairings for Friday’s opening Ryder Cup fourballs.
However, the Irishman will be happy to adapt his gameplan if any of his selections struggle to make an impact against the Americans.
Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson will lead Europe off against Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, with Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer then taking on Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.
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Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter are third out against rookie duo Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, followed by Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy, who have been asking to be paired together for months according to McGinley, against Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson.
"I've gone with one rookie in the morning and Tom has gone with three. That might be a genius move by Tom, it might not," McGinley said.
"My ideas might backfire, as well, but that's what you do as captain, make your decisions, set out your stall, watch what happens and you adapt to what happens.
"There will be decisions I'll get wrong as captain, I'm prepared for that. But I'd like to think that I'll be able to adjust things and go forward.”
New pairings
All four of Europe's pairs have not played together in the Ryder Cup before but that does not concern McGinley.
"These guys all know each other very well and you move forward," said McGinley, who had spoken all week about not changing the successful European template.
"Two years down the road, a different view and take on things, and games have evolved in slightly different ways and guys become more experienced.
"Ian Poulter is a very experienced player now. There's going to be a big atmosphere in that group, we'll need a guy with a big attitude for that and I think Ian Poulter fits that bill.
"Justin and Henrik spent a lot of time together at Lake Nona (in Orlando) over the years, know each other very, very well, and you have Sergio and Rory who have formed a real bond and friendship and respect for each other's games during the summer period.
"Things evolve and move. The template doesn't mean pairings have to be the exact same pairings."
