Olazabal tests his Ryder Cup pairings during practice sessions
European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal shared his ideas regarding the pairings of his team at the Ryder Cup. At a practice session held in Medinah Golf and Country Club, Olazabal sent out his players in three groups, comprising of four players each.
In the first group that teed off, the Englishmen Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose took to the field. The second group comprised of the two Northern Irishmen, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie and Sergio Garcia.
The third and the last team that lined up consisted of the former world number one golfer from Germany, Martin Kaymer. Alongside him was the Ryder Cup rookie Nicolas Colsaerts, Francesco Molinari and the Swede Peter Hanson.
It is no surprise that Ian Poulter and Justin Rose are paired together. They are extremely good friends. The pair was also instrumental in European success at Valhalla, where they managed to secure two and a half points, out of a possible three.
It will not be easy for Olazabal to decide his pairings, as all of the European golfers are in hot form, apart from Lee Westwood. The Englishman had a disappointing end to the PGA Tour, when he finished right at the bottom in Tour Championship.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Irish duo will be paired together. They won one and a half points, from a possible two.
"The established partnerships are fairly obvious: myself and Rory, Poulter and Rose, Donald and Garcia, perhaps Westwood and Lawrie," McDowell told the reporters, prior to heading out for the practice session.
In 2010, McDowell contributed to Europe’s success by attaining the final point for his team. All of Europe rejoiced thanks to him.
There might be early in giving out the indications but one never knows what Olazabal may come up with when the Ryder Cup battle takes place.
"But I'm looking forward to seeing how the next three days pan out in practice and how Jose kind of assembles us all," McDowell further stated.
Europe has won eight of the last thirteen Ryder Cups. Last time, they won by the slightest of margins, by just one point. This time, it will not be easy, as the fans will be right behind team USA. One might get to see a hostile environment.
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