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Ryder Cup 2012: Olazabal mixes Europe pairs for final practice
Ryder Cup
- Venue: Medinah, Chicago
- Date: 28-30 September
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live; daily text commentaries on BBC Sport website. Extended highlights daily on BBC Two.
Captain Jose Maria Olazabal mixed up his groups for Europe's final nine-hole practice session on the eve of the Ryder Cup in Chicago.
Rory McIlroy was split up from regular partner Graeme McDowell to join Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer.
McDowell went out with Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Francesco Molinari, as Lee Westwood, Paul Lawrie, Peter Hanson and Nicolas Colsaerts went off first.
The captains will name their foursomes pairs at the Opening Ceremony.
Europe are likely to kick off their defence of the Ryder Cup with the proven pairs of McIlroy and McDowell, and Donald and Garcia, who have won all four of their games together in the alternate-shot format.
European 2012 Ryder Cup team
- Rory McIlroy (NI) Age: 23 Caps: 1
- Justin Rose (Eng) Age: 32 Caps: 1
- Graeme McDowell (NI) Age: 33 Caps: 2
- Paul Lawrie (Sco) Age: 43 Caps: 1
- Francesco Molinari (Ita) Age: 29 Caps: 1
- Luke Donald (Eng) Age: 34 Caps: 3
- Lee Westwood (Eng) Age: 39 Caps: 7
- Sergio Garcia (Spa) Age: 32 Caps: 5
- Peter Hanson (Swe) Age: 34 Caps: 1
- Martin Kaymer (Ger) Age: 27 Caps: 1
- Ian Poulter (Eng) Age: 36 Caps 3
- Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) Age: 29 Caps 0
Close friends Rose and Poulter played together in 2008, winning two of their three games, and practised together the first two days at Medinah.
Westwood, playing in his eighth Ryder Cup, is unbeaten in his last 10 foursomes going back to 1999 and could partner Scot Paul Lawrie, who returns to the cup for the first time since he made his debut in 1999.
That would leave Hanson, Kaymer and Molinari, who are all playing in their second Ryder Cups and first on US soil, and rookie Nicolas Colsaerts to soak up the atmosphere ahead of Friday afternoon's fourballs.
The Europeans will play just the back nine at Medinah's No.3 course on Thursday, after covering the full 18 on Tuesday and the front nine again on Wednesday.
Thursday, 29 September (all times BST)
21:00-22:30 - BBC Radio 5 live preview including opening ceremony
Friday, 28 September
23:59-02:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day One
Saturday, 29 September
11:00-13:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day One highlights
23:59-02:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day Two
Sunday, 30 September
14:00-16:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day Two highlights
23:00-01:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day Three
Monday, 1 October
19:00-20:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day Three highlights
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Comment number 19.
brooklynbrawler28th September 2012 - 9:12
@ 15.Mike Mullen
At the end of the day, I don't class a £5m annual salary for Jonathan Ross or hundreds of thousands of pounds each for Eastenders "actors" as being value for money as it is thanks...
I also don;t want the BBC to start gambling with licensepayers money by trying to compete withy the silly money Sky are throwing at sport.
Link to this (Comment number 19)
Comment number 18.
David Morris Evans27th September 2012 - 23:47
Snedeker will probably regret the beat their brains out comment - but he's still on a high from the FedEx Cup so is not thinking through the eventualities.
It is better to say nothing and let your game to the talking.
Link to this (Comment number 18)
Comment number 17.
wisewelshwizard27th September 2012 - 23:02
not an ideal solution, but why not pay a small fee and stream it live ?
Living in California, I rely on streams to bring me my Rugby/cricket fix and they are pretty reliable and decent quality.
I'm hoping for a Europe win and I'm certain the crowd will be vocal/patriotic/rowdy but to no greater degree than the recipricol support in Europe
Time to kick butt !
Link to this (Comment number 17)
Comment number 16.
Graftwood27th September 2012 - 22:38
Has anyone actually watched the Sky golf coverage? Or is this the usual left wing drivel all forums seem to attract.
Its pretty good - along with most of there sports coverage.
Of course I would rather it was on the BBC but thats not realistic - so just get on with it.
Link to this (Comment number 16)
Comment number 15.
Mike Mullen27th September 2012 - 21:28
Simple equation higher license fee = more sport/drama/ comedy etc. But every time the subject comes up people whine about star salaries and 'waste'. If you want more out of the BBC put your money where yourmouth is!
Link to this (Comment number 15)
Comments 5 of 19