Ryder Cup 2018 - as it happened: USA take lead after Friday fourballs
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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
Molinari & Fleetwood (1UP) vs Woods & Reed
Woods seems to have lost his bearings these last few holes and cries of fore left ring out after his tee-shot on the drivable six. Reed has a tricky downhill chip which leaves the door open for Fleetwood who's chipping from the fringe but his effort also runs past.
Casey & Hatton vs Spieth & Thomas (3UP)
Jordan Spieth is in a different class, if not dimension, at the moment. He's just chipped in from the fringe on seven so he and the almost invisible Thomas hold a three-shot lead. This could get ugly for the Europeans.
Jonathan Liew on sight for Olesen's first scalp:
Deadlock finally broken at the 8th. Both Johnson and Fowler fail to get up and down from off the left of the green. Rory somehow manages to three-putt from about 12ft, and so it’s to Olesen from about 5ft to win the hole with par. In a tight match, that could be a big moment.
Ed Malyon on the par-5 ninth:
Jon Rahm’s delightful little chip looked to have given Europe the advantage on the ninth, but fellow rookie Tony Finau went within inches from the sand to halve the hole. Rose and Rahm still 1 up.
Something you won’t see on television: Justin Rose stayed behind after the ninth had been decided in order to try and find his putting range. He missed right from not far away, but that extra bit of practice might prove crucial later today.
McIlroy & Olesen (1UP) v Johnson & Fowler
As soon as it looked like Olesen had settled he pulls his drive on the ninth in to the water. McIlroy's over the other side and is also in a world of trouble with his ball barely visible in the long rough. Barring any errors from the Americans they should have this hole won.
Casey & Hatton vs Spieth & Thomas (3UP)
There was a rare glimpse of hope for Hatton on the eighth as his bunker-shot struck the pin but it's bounced away and he and Casey stay three down.
Molinari & Fleetwood vs Woods & Reed (A/S)
A simple two-putt par is good enough for Woods to finally break back after both Europeans make bogey on the seventh. Neither American has been on top form thus far but it was made easy for them there.
Rose & Rahm (2UP) vs Koepka & Finau
Rose and Rahm are in control as they make the turn but it's Koepka's who applies the pressure as his approach finishes within touching distance. Rose matches him though and the hole's halved with birdies.
It may not be significant but it's another great moment for Jon Rahm who chips in for par.
McIlroy & Olesen v Johnson & Fowler (A/S)
The Europeans can't recover and it's an easy putt for Fowler to put things back on even keel at the turn.
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