Five Matches We’d Love To See At The 2018 Ryder Cup
RORY MCILROY & IAN POULTER -vs- JORDAN SPIETH & PATRICK REED
Poults has been a talismanic Ryder Cup figure for years, and McIlroy looks have as much passion for the contest as anyone on the planet. On the other side, meanwhile, Spieth is a fiery presence in the competition too, and Reed has been so star-spangled in his approach to the event he’s nicknamed Captain America. What a start to the three days it would be to see this lot locking horns!
JUSTIN ROSE -vs- BROOKS KOEPKA
World number one against world number two – need we say any more? Rose is the most consistent performer of this year, but Koepka has a pair of majors to show for his efforts, claiming the US Open and the US PGA this year. A real clash of the titans, and one which might just serve to show which side of the Atlantic is tops!
PAUL CASEY & TOMMY FLEETWOOD -vs- RICKIE FOWLER & JUSTIN THOMAS
If chemistry is to be a significant factor in who heads out together, then this one is a no-brainer. The Englishmen are great buddies off the course and also share a love of iron play, making them perfect foursome candidates. The Statesiders, meanwhile, are thick as thieves, and two cool customers; we predict a super showdown if these boys find themselves matched up – though a repeat of Casey’s 2006 ace might be a stretch!
SERGIO GARCIA -vs- PHIL MICKELSON
While neither are riding high on the rankings at this stage, there’s one list they’ll always be top of; the greatest matches in this competition’s history. 2016 saw the pair share a birdie-strewn epic in which each shot a 63 – a repeat of which would put our hearts under all sorts of pressure! But at least Phil enjoyed the rest of his evening once they were done...
FRANCESCO MOLINARI -vs- TIGER WOODS
At the Miracle of Medinah, Martin Kaymer did the necessary to allow Tiger to concede the last to the Italian – unfinished business, then! It’s an intriguing one for more reasons than history, though; there’s also the fact that Molinari has enjoyed a season including his first major win at The Open, while Tiger is on his best run for years…
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