Ryder Cup 2012: Day One Foursomes, Where to Watch Live, Preview

The 39th edition of the Ryder Cup - that pits Team USA against Team Europe - starts off with four foursomes on Day 1 at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois.

The foursomes will see two golfers alternate hitting the same ball, from the tee till a putt is made. The players also alternate who hits the tee shot on every hole. Team America have emerged dominant in the last two tournaments but Team Europe had won the previous four on a row.

Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson were notable absentees from Team USA's foursomes that will begin the competition.

Where to Watch Live:

The first match gets underway at 1.20 pm BST and live coverage is available on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD 1.

Preview:

The four matches on Day 1 are (all times BST, Team USA first):

1.20 pm: Jim Furyk/Brandt Snedeker v Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell

World number one McIlroy has been in sublime form of late, after two FedExCup playoff wins and the USPGA Championship victory. The Northern Irishman will relish the chance of playing with compatriot McDowell and is odds-on favourite to do well at Medinah. On the other side, Snedeker has been the most consistently accurate putter all season and in Furyk, he has a calm and influential partner.

1.35 pm: Phil Mickelson/Keegan Bradley v Luke Donald/Sergio Garcia

The unbeaten European duo of Garcia and Donald will be looking to extend their magnificent Ryder Cup foursomes record (14 wins, 1 tie, 0 losses) against the Americans. Mickelson has a poor record in this format with just two wins in nine starts and even Bradley is not seen as a strong contender in foursomes.

1.50 pm: Jason Dufner/Zach Johnson v Lee Westwood/ Francesco Molinari

There is little to separate these two. Dufner and Johnson have both won twice on the 2012 PGA Tour and are two of the most relaxed golfers among the current crop. Meanwhile, though Molinari's style might not suit the foursomes or the Medinah layout, the Italian will surely benefit from playing alongside Ryder Cup veteran Westwood.

2.05 pm: Steve Stricker/Tiger Woods v Ian Poulter/Justin Rose

This match will be the highlight of the day but is expected to be a one-sided affair. Though Woods has an unspectacular record in Ryder Cup, the former world number one and Stricker are heavy favourites for this clash. Stricker will bring in the accuracy element on the greens, something Woods has been lacking of late. Meanwhile, Poulter has lost only three times in this tournament but two of those had Woods on the opposite side.

At 6.05 pm, the Cup will switch to fourballs format and there will be four matches to complete Day 1 of the competition.