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As it happenedended

Ryder Cup 2018 - as it happened: USA take lead after Friday fourballs

Re-live all the action from Paris

Ed Malyon
Le Golf National
,Jonathan Liew,Tom Kershaw
Friday 28 September 2018 07:54 EDT
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Ryder Cup 2018 Footage of Le Golf National in Paris

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The 2018 Ryder Cup is underway at Le Golf National. Jim Furyk has selected Tony Finau and Brooks Koepka to lead the US team out in Paris and they will be up against Thomas Bjorn's strong opening pairing of Justin Rose and Jon Rahm.

Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen will play match two against Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey and rookie Tyrrell Hatton face Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in match three, before the much-anticipated appearance of Tiger Woods alongside the fiery Patrick Reed, who play Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood.

Follow all the action from every hole in Paris with our live blog:


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Preview

What time does it start?

It all gets underway at 7.10am on Friday morning with the opening fourballs.

Where can I watch it?

The whole tournament is being broadcast on Sky Sports Golf. You can also stream it online via SkyGo. It is also available on NowTV.

For those without access to any of those The Independent will be live blogging the entire weekend.

The Ryder Cup is upon us
The Ryder Cup is upon us (REUTERS)

Who's playing?

Some of the very best golfers on the planet. Tiger Woods leads the American team while new world number one Justin Rose is Europe's leading light.

Who's going to win?

USA Evens

Europe 5/4

Draw 11/1

Tommy Fleetwood & Francesco Molinari (1UP) vs Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth

It looked like the two teams had settled for a birdie a piece at the par-5 third but Justin Thomas has just missed the shortest of putts for the half. He'll have a hard time forgetting that one.

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:15

Justin Rose & Henrik Stenson (2UP) vs Dustin Johnson & Rickie Fowler

Absolutely no chance for Fowler to get out of that rough. He's dragged it horribly and only just made it out of that long grass. This should be another hole to the good for the Europeans.

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:17

Rory McIlroy & Ian Poulter vs Bubba Watson & Webb Simpson (1UP)

Simpson narrowly misses at the sixth and McIlroy now has a chance to get a shot back. He's struggled to hole anything today but this one obeys and he gives the crowd an almighty roar. Maybe this will kick-start him. It's back to one.

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:19

Sergio Garcia & Alex Noren (2UP) vs Phil Mickelson & Bryson DeChambeau

Both teams are safely on the green at the third and first up it's Alex Noren. It's good enough for a gimme but it opens the door to DeChambeau who's been beleaguered by Mickelson's terrible start. It skirts the lip and there's a chance gone the Californians.

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:22

Justin Rose & Henrik Stenson (3UP) vs Dustin Johnson & Rickie Fowler

And there it is. The Americans can only muster a bogey and Rose and Stenson steam on.

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:24

Sergio Garcia & Alex Noren (2UP) vs Phil Mickelson & Bryson DeChambeau

Brilliant shot by Alex Noren at the fifth. Sergio Garcia fired it straight down the middle and the Swede's approach is similarly unswerving and stops just short of the pin.

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:29

Justin Rose & Henrik Stenson (3UP) vs Dustin Johnson & Rickie Fowler

A big chance missed by Dustin Johnson there on the eighth. Stenson missed to the left of the green and he only had about 10 feet for the hole after a great shot by Fowler but it's lipped out. He fist-bumps Fowler but that one will have hurt.

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:36

Rory McIlroy & Ian Poulter vs Bubba Watson & Webb Simpson (A/S)

The Americans have run into similar trouble at the driveable par-4 seventh as Johnson and Fowler. They too can only make bogey and it's a free run  for McIlroy and Poulter to level things up.

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:38

Rory McIlroy & Ian Poulter (1UP) vs Bubba Watson & Webb Simpson

Webb Simpson's tee-shot at the par-3 soared wide and although Bubba Watson did recover well Simpson couldn't finish the up-and-down and that's a bogey. McIlroy has hit it right into the heart of the green though and it's a simple two-putt for the pair to take the lead for the first time.

Every group out there is blue!

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:44

Ed Malyon on the course:

This afternoon session is going terribly for the US as things stand. After 24 holes combined, the Americans have made just a single birdie among them. Europe on the march here!

Ben Burrows28 September 2018 14:45

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