Golf on Sling: The 2016 Ryder Cup
The United States vs. Europe in The Ryder Cup
Coverage begins at 8:30am ET on The Golf Channel
Team captain Davis Love III leads a dozen of America’s finest golfers to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Haska, Minnesota, to face the defending three-peat champs from Europe, led by captain Darren Clarke. The Europeans are looking to become the first team to win four straight since the Ryder Cup adopted its US vs. Europe format in this every-other-year showdown.
The specter of the recently deceased Arnold Palmer will loom large, no doubt. Palmer was a force in the Ryder Cup, amassing a record of 22-8-2, at one point winning a record 12 straight matches, his team winning all five Cups for which he competed.
“Obviously with the passing of the King, it puts a slightly different perspective on the whole thing now,” said Clarke.
Hoping to make America great again are Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Brandt Snedeker, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker, Rickie Fowler, J.B. Holmes, Matt Kuchar, and Ryan Moore. Golfing for Team Europe is Rafa Cabrera Bello, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Pieters, and Lee Westwood.
Founded in 1962, Hazeltine National is a 7,678-yard par-72 that currently carries a rating of 78. The order of play for the holes has been changed for the Ryder Cup, with the front nine will be comprised of holes 1 through 4 and 14 through 18, while the back nine will be 10 through 13 and 5 through 9. The changes were made to make life easier for spectatord, as well as to keep playing moving alogn more quickly.
The forecast in Chaska over the next three days is for highs around 70, with lots of sun on Friday, but some clouds rolling in over the weekend, but no rain.
Here are the Friday morning foursomes:
7:35am: Jordan Spieth & Patrick Reed vs. Henrik Stenson & Justin Rose
#7:50am:Phil Mickelson & Rickie Fowler vs. Rory McIlroy & Andy Sullivan
8:05am: Jimmy Walker & Zach Johnson vs. Sergio Garcia & Martin Kaymer
8:20am: Dustin JOhnson & Matt Kuchar vs. Lee Westwood & Thomas Peters
Once foursome play is completed, the Friday afternoon pairings will be determined for the four-ball matches, which will begin at 12:30pm, 12:45pm, 1:00pm, and 1:15pm.
Watch the 2016 Ryder Cup at 8:30am ET Friday on The Golf Channel by subscribing to Sling Blue Extra