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Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal has made his intentions clear that he is looking for a fast start when the Ryder Cup gets underway on Friday lunchtime.
Much has been made of the role the partisan Chicago crowd can play in the outcome of the tournament at Medinah and Olazabal is clearly hoping to silence that by getting out of the blocks fast.
The Spaniard has selected the established pairing of world number one Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell to open Europe's defence in the first round of foursomes against Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker.
Following them will be the duo of Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia - who have a 100 per cent record in foursomes play since 2025 - who will take on veteran Phil Mickelson and rookie Keegan Bradley.
US captain Davis Love also looks to have his eyes set on getting the opening point on the board having selected in-form FedEx Cup winner Brandt Snedeker in the opening match but they could have their work cut out against Mcllroy and McDowell.
Olazabal said: "We have to go for it. I know we are playing away. The crowds are going to be on their side. They set up the course to their liking.
"At the end of the day, you have to make a bunch of birdies out there to win points. So just send the best players out there and see if they can perform well, and manage to win those points."
Olazabal clearly means business after turning to his most experienced players in the first session of matches, as highlighted by his other two pairs for the Friday's foursomes which will see Lee Westwood play with Francesco Molinari and good friends Ian Poulter and Justin Rose team up again.
Molinari, making his second Ryder Cup appearance, is regarded as one of the straightest hitters on the European Tour and should be the perfect complement for Westwood as they take on Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson.
But Rose and Poulter appear to have a tougher task on their hands when they face the established American pair of ex-world number one Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in arguably the clash of the first day foursomes.
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