IT was a fascinating start to the Ryder Cup with USA almost out of sight in the morning foursomes before Europe clawed back to trail 5-3 overnight with some great golf in the foursomes.
Darren Clarke will hope his side do better this morning – and let's face they can't do any worse.
America's pairing look stronger today and my best bet is Jimmy Walker and my man Dustin Johnson to beat Justin Rose and rookie Chris Wood.
The rookies struggles yesterday morning and it could be the same for Wood. We know if Dustin's on his game this partnership will be unstoppable.
Rory McIlroy was a bit out of sorts in the morning and lost alongside Andy Sullivan. It was a different story later when he and Thomas Pieters won superbly with McIlroy sealing the deal with an eagle on the 16th then celebrating like never before.
He and Pieters are back out this morning and a pumped-up Rory should lead them to victory against Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson.
The other ties are tougher to call. Henrik Stenson was brilliant in his second match and will have to be game as well as pulling along rookie Matt Fitzpatrick.
USA's only rookie to qualify – Brooks Koepka – is as regulars know one of my favourite players. He was sensational with Brandt Snedeker yesterday and I'd favour them to edge a tight contest against Stenson and Fitzpatrick.
Not surprisingly Spaniards Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrero-Bello are out again after their crushing win but they face Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. That pair were unbeaten at Gleneagles and won yesterday morning before losing for the first time in the afternoon.
This isn't an easy one to call but if Spieth's putter is hot and Reed plays as well as he can they'll win.
If you miss the start of the matches you can of course bet inplay.
Recommended Bets
McIlroy/Pieters to bt Fowler/Mickelson (1.35pm)
(1-1, Betfred)
Walker/Johnson to bt Rose/Wood (2.05pm)
(23-20, McBookie)
Antepost Tips
Draw 2pts (Bet365, 12-1)
Best European 2pts Henrik Stenson (William Hill, 13-2)
Best American: 2pts Patrick Reed (Betfred, 7-1)
Ace Venturer
The Yanks starting off quick yesterday as predicted to bring in my bet of them to win day 1 at evens. Morning session and they’re currently up in 2, down in 1 and level in 1 and just over evens to win the morning session and I’m happy to take a little punt on that.
What a comeback by Europe on this morning’s foursomes, especially Cabrera Bello and Garcia. From being four down to Speith and Reed after the 12th. The Europeans will be on a high going into this afternoon’s fourballs having clawed the USA back to just one point and hopefully we can be level or better when the singles start tomorrow.
Kaymer/Garcia to beat Mickelson/Kuchar (6-5, Bet364)
Rose/Stenson to beat Spieth/Reed (6-5 PaddyPower)