Henrik Stenson and Le Westwood would be a fresh and powerful tandem, says Bruce

One of the more enjoyable elements of Practice Days at the Ryder Cup is to see the make-up of the various fourballs playing together and try and determine likely partnerships that might emerge.

It is more difficult this year as there was so little success for Europe on the first two days last time; only Ian Poulter with whomever he was paired (Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy) was a shining light.

Poulter will obviously feature prominently from the start and maybe a foursome pairing with his long time chum Rose is the one banker; they accounted for 50% of Europe’s points on the first two days at Medinah.

Foursomes this year will not be played till the afternoon, so maybe a first morning re-enactment of the pivotal McIlroy/Poulter pairing from last time, the union that finally lit the fuse for Europe at the 11th hour. Three down and six to play, McIlroy birdied 13 and then watched Poults birdie the rest for the narrowest of victories.

Fireworks

Without attempting to predict all the pairings, some do spring to mind.

Sergio Garcia has a better Cup record than most and after his mature personal performance at this year’s Open Championship is ready for more responsibility. As he probably speaks good French, he could be asked to look after the initial blooding of Victor Dubuisson.

Not essential as Victor speaks perfectly good English, just a nice thought. They could form a ‘Mediterranean‘ pair that might just produce fireworks. Worth a try with little downside.

Another pairing I like, though probably not till the second day, and assuming both play with more seasoned partners first time out, would be Stephen Gallacher and Jamie Donaldson. Rarely is it deemed wise to put two rookies together, but both played so well recently just to get into the side, that such a Celtic partnership could be exciting for both, with no enormous burden of expectation.

Scalp

Rory McIlroy could mesh well with Martin Kaymer

McIlroy will expect to play all five contests and, if he is to join Poulter in the fourballs, his foursomes partner has yet to be decided. The obvious, safe match-up would be with his original chum and partner, Graeme McDowell.

This, though, is a partnership with many miles on the clock and one questions just how much upside there would be in further success. Sometimes where there is little glory in victory there is potential for less established opposition to be lifted by the chance of a notable scalp. It can lead to just the wrong result.

As we have seen with Tiger Woods over many years, finding a partner for the world’s best player is not easy, even though McIlroy is much the better team man.

Initial thoughts that someone of his reputation and talents should shepherd a lesser light to victory don’t often work out; it can take quite an experienced ‘tough nut’ to cope with the pressure of being Rory’s partner. Maybe a Martin Kaymer might meet the criteria.

Of the more seasoned campaigners, Thomas Bjorn has not had a great last few months but is blessed with a brilliant short game and was a recent winner of the Johnnie Walker here at Gleneagles. Stephen Gallacher has also played well here, coming second in last year’s tournament. I would not be surprised to see these two playing together on the opening day.

There’s no doubt Paul McGinley is blessed with a host of talent and experience. All his seasoned players have games and qualities to partner almost anyone. Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood have matching attitudes and senses of humour and were they to join up would be a new, fresh and powerful combination to put into the field.

Justin Rose is another who should play all five games and is just the talent and human being to make a success of taking out any new boy in either format. If anyone can make a pleasure of setting out on your first Ryder Cup, he’s your man.

Strong

America, in contrast, had a scintillating first couple of days last time and have two outstanding pairings in Phil Mickelson/ Keegan Bradley and Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson to call on again.

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A quick look at the players that will be lining up for Team USA at the Ryder Cup this Friday.

Then there is a rejuvenated Rickie Fowler who stuttered a little at Celtic Manor and didn’t make the team last time. A much improved and more mature player this year, he is expected to be a dominant force.

Matt Kuchar is yet to lose at either foursomes or fourballs, but with Dustin Johnson side-lined, is looking for a new partner; put him with Fowler and there’s a third extremely strong pair.

Once again the quiet and competent Zach Johnson can underpin any partnership; but for being on the receiving end of that remarkable Poulter/McIlroy comeback, he would have won four out of four at Medinah. Maybe Jordan Spieth the new great hope for the US, would enjoy starting his career with such a steady partner.

In the background you still have veteran Jim Furyk playing some of the best golf of his life, Hunter Mahan with a better overall Ryder Cup record than many, newcomer Patrick Reed finding form after a modest summer and three-time winner Jimmy Walker.

Suddenly the Americans don’t look such underdogs. Maybe they never were!

So, just a few ideas and most of them probably wrong, but whoever plays with whom, watching each match set out into the uncharted waters of a Ryder Cup is just one of the great pleasures of the coming few days.