THE talking is over and it's now down to action as the Ryder Cup gets under way in Paris.
FedEx Cup winner Justin Rose and Jon Rahm face Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau in the first of 28 matches.
Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed tackle Europe's Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood in the morning's fourballs that will have the biggest gallery.
Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen play Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler before Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton take on Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
Koepka, Bubba Watson and Thomas are the only Americans to have played a competitive round at Le Golf National and that's just about the only advantage I can see for the Europeans against an incredibly strong side.
Picking winners on the first day is tough as we find out who is on form and who has a liking for the course and its set-up.
USA are favourites in three of the first four morning matches but I reckon Europe can stay close and possibly tie 2-2.
In the opener I'm backing on-form and consistent Rose to form a terrific pairing with big-hitting rookie Rahm. They are evens at Sky Bet with their rivals 8-5 at bet365.
Europe's other point could come from McIlroy and Olesen. McIlroy on his day is as good as anyone and will be right up for this. He needs to keep the ball in play and should be backed up well by his under-rated Danish partner.
A home win pays 38-25 with Marathonbet and while Johnson and Fowler are two of the best in the world they might fail to click in this format.
Third up are great pals Spieth and Thomas who are 5-6 with betfair to beat English duo Casey and Hatton. The Americans have both been world No.1 and it's a huge test for the Europeans.
Finally it's been the one we've all been waiting for as Woods takes centre stage with the steely Reed to face Molinari and Fleetwood. On paper it's tight but Woods was superb in winning last week and with the return of Tigermania and the support of a guy who loves this event the Americans can win.
They are 6-5 with bet365 as opposed to 13-10 at Betfred for the Europeans so it's tipped to be the closest call.
Day 1 Fourballs
- Rose/Rahm (7.10am)
- McIlroy/Olesen (7.25am)
- Spieth/Thomas (7.40am)
- Woods/Reed (7.55am)
Perm any 3 and all 4 (5 bets)
4 pays 15-1, bet365
Update: Not been a good morning for Europe who trail 3-1 going into the afternoon foursomes. McIlroy off the boil with no birdies and Rose and Rahm losing on the last after never trailing. USA cut to around 1-2.
Not surprisingly Woods has been rested in the afternoon and all eight players on each team get a game on day one which is how it should be.
Europe need to at least draw 2-2 and best bets for a win look to be Molinari and Fleetwood who beat Reed and Woods in the morning.
Day 1 Foursomes
- Stenson/Rose v Johnson/Fowler
- McIlroy/Poulter v Watson/Simpson
- Garcia/Noren v Mickelson/DeChambeau
- Molinari/Fleetwood v Thomas/Spieth
Best Bet: Mickelson/DeChambeau
Already Advised
- USA
- USA to be leading after day 1
- Fleetwood top Euro rookie
- Thomas top USA rookie
- Rose top European
- Koepka top points scorer
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
