Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters to lead Europe's Ryder Cup foursomes
By Ali Stafford at Hazeltine
Last Updated: 01/10/16 12:55pm
Darren Clarke has entrusted Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters to lead off Team Europe in the Ryder Cup Saturday foursomes at Hazeltine.
McIlroy formed an excellent partnership with rookie Thomas Pieters to beat US Open champion Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar 3&2 in Friday's fourballs, helping Europe make an afternoon fightback to trail 5-3 after the opening day.
The pair will face Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson, who narrowly defeated McIlroy and Andy Sullivan on Friday morning as the USA raced in to a 4-0 lead.
Stenson and Rose, who started proceedings for Europe on Friday, have been split apart to play alongside the two rookies yet to feature, Matt Fitzpatrick and Chris Wood, while Martin Kaymer doesn't feature following defeats in his opening two matches.
Successful all-Spanish pairing Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Sergio Garcia complete the line-up, facing crowd favourites Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth.
"There are going to be some more interesting matches again tomorrow," Clarke said. "I think we are in for another really exciting morning and hopefully, from a European point of view, we'll do a little better."
Love has stuck with three of his four winning pairings from the Friday morning session, with Brooks Koepka and Brandt Snedeker completing his plans after their convincing 5&4 win in the fourballs.
Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar, who played two matches together on Friday, have been left out by Love, while JB Holmes and rookie Ryan Moore also miss out.
"We feel like we have got four good groups out being tomorrow morning," Love told a press conference. "We didn't make much change. We are trying to rest some guys up and mix it up a little bit."
Saturday foursomes
1.35pm Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson v Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters
1.50pm Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka v Henrik Stenson and Matt Fitzpatrick
2.05pm Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson v Justin Rose and Chris Wood
2.20pm Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth v Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello
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