TG at Gleneagles: Paul McGinley names four first-time pairings

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The waiting is over. At 7.35am Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson will be roared onto the first tee of Gleneagles’ PGA Centenary Course, facing off against Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson as the Ryder Cup finally gets underway.

Days of speculation finally came to a halt when, in front of a huge crowd, captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson brought the opening ceremony to a close with the announcement of their pairings. The Irishman’s decisions were certainly more debatable than his American counterpart’s. Watson’s decision to send all three rookies out on the opening morning ensures the nerves will have no time to linger, while McGinley’s decision to leave the in-form Jamie Donaldson and match play specialist Victor Dubuisson sidelined until the afternoon was met with surprise, specially as many consider foursomes a difficult format for debutants. Equally his decision to pair Martin Kaymer and Thomas Bjorn was one that no-one had predicted. The German and Dane will face in-form Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker, a partnership that had been rumoured since the start of the week.

One thing that is certain, Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher’s match with Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth will attract a huge crowd. Pairing Mr Ryder Cup with the home favourite could prove a masterstroke, assuming the pair don’t struggle under the pressure of being overwhelming favourites.

Finally Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia will take on Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley as both captains look to end the morning on a high. While Watson stuck with the tried and testing partnership from Medinah, McGinley opted for a pairing that have been asking him to be paired together for months.

It was a day for new beginnings. Despite having spoken at length about sticking to the successful European template, McGinley named four pairings that have never played a Ryder Cup match together. “The guys all know each other very well and you move forward,” he told us. “Things evolve and move. The template doesn’t mean pairings have to be the exact same pairings.”

Meanwhile Watson’s pairing of Reed and Spieth ensured the US will have its youngest ever Ryder Cup partnership. “I told them today, I’m going to throw you in the ocean without a life preserver,” he told us. “You’re on your own. You get out there and get it done.”

And while Watson seemed confident in his decisions, McGinley admitted on several occasions that he will make mistakes over the three days. “My ideas might backfire,” he said. “But that’s what you do as captain, make your decisions, set out your stall, watch what happens and adapt to what happens.

“There will be decisions I’ll get wrong, I’m prepared for that. But I’d like to think I’ll adjust things and go forward.”

Both captains also confirmed their plans to use all 12 players on the opening day, although McGinley admitted “nothing is set in stone”.

Before the big announcement the third practice day had seen Europe and America’s players finalise their on-course preparations in windy conditions and in front of the week’s biggest crowd. McGinley’s men chose to take in just eight holes, much to the disappointment of many fans who stood waiting on the 9th hole. America’s players made it round a few more and received a warm reception, much to the surprise of Webb Simpson. “The crowds so far have been great, very polite,” he said. “Perhaps the American crowds take it too far sometimes.” Simpson also spoke of his excitement at playing with Bubba again, but admitted he has to keep him in check. “The more nervous and excited he gets the more he talks. Sometimes I have to tell him to be quiet!”

One place that won’t be quiet come Friday is the 1st tee. Thursday’s pro-celebrity match, featuring the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Corey Pavin, Ian Woosnam, Kenny Dalglish and Jamie Redknapp, had it rocking. Come 7.35am tomorrow the atmosphere will be electric. Hopefully the Americans won’t have dampened it by the time the afternoon pairings are submitted at 12.30pm.

* We’ll be live from Gleneagles from 6.30am. Follow @thetodaysgolfer on Twitter for updates from the course throughout the day.

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