• Bjorn sends Rory back out as Europe seek points

    Rory McIlroy
    Rory McIlroy

    Rory McIlroy will go back out onto the course despite struggling in the opening fourballs at the 42nd Ryder Cup on Friday.

    The Northern Irishman partnered Thorbjorn Olesen unsuccessfully early on Friday as they succumbed to a 4 & 2 loss to Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

    The Europeans had no resistance as the American pair found their feet with five birdies in eight holes shortly before the turn. That loss seemed to be a foresight of things to come as Europe fell 3-1 behind after four matches.

    Next up to face that winning combination are Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose. The familiar European pair will need to draw on every bit of their experience if they are to match the firepower in the first foursomes match on Friday.

    McIlroy is joined by Ian Poulter, surprisingly rested for the first round of matches, as they look to help put Europe back on track in their clash against Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, a well-worn combination.

    Sergio Garcia and Alex Noren get their first taste of Le Golf National as they come up against fellow rested players Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau.

    The anchor match sees two unbeaten teams do battle as Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood, who beat Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed 3 & 1, face Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

    American captain Jim Furyk will be pleased with how Spieth was able to put an immediate halt to his putting woes. More concerning was how the young duo let a commanding lead slip as Tyrrell Hatton and Paul Casey battled all the way to the final green. The English pair will not feature in the afternoon along with Olesen and Rahm.

    Foursomes matches:

    Stenson/Rose vs Johnson/Fowler

    McIlroy/Poulter vs Watson/Simpson

    Garcia/Noren vs Mickelson/DeChambeau

    Molinari/Fleetwood vs Thomas/Spieth

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