Pavin’s US hold early lead at the Ryder Cup after fourballs
Published:Corey Pavin’s US team drew first blood at the Ryder Cup to hold the advantage at the end of the delayed opening-day fourballs.
The US team take a 2.5 to 1.5 point lead into the foursomes after their last two pairings both won their matches.
Europe gained the early initiative when Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer picked up a 3&2 victory ovr Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson and then Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell battled back to halve their clash with Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.
However, Europe’s lead was cancelled out when Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton claimed a 3&2 triumph over Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald.
Then Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker beat Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher on the final hole, with their 2up victory handing the US the momentum into the delayed foursomes.
Pavin opted to stick with his pairings for the six foursomes, while Zach Johnson will partner and Hunter Mahan and rookie Rickie Fowler plays his first Ryder Cup match alongside Jim Furyk.
Among the European foursome pairings are Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson and they face a tough challenge against Woods and Stricker.
The Americans are 8/13 to win their foursomes clash, with Jimenez and Hanson 2/1 to triumph.
Amazingly, Irish duo McIlroy and McDowell will square off with Cink and Kuchar again in the new format and it is 6/1 that their game is tied as in the fourballs.
One of the pairing changes sees Donald looking for revenge on Watson and Overton with his new partner Poulter and the two Englishmen are 4/6 to claim the win.
Europe are still favourites at 4/5 to win the Ryder Cup despite their current deficit. See the whole Ryder Cup Bet in Play betting odds market.
