As you tune in for the opening session of the Ryder Cup at Beth Page Black on Friday morning, you’ll notice a less familiar format at play.
The competition kicks off with foursome matches, which is a kind of alternate shot where one player tees off and the other hits the second shot.
This format can be pretty intricate—it’s not something you see often in professional golf. Since both players use the same ball, it creates some complicated dynamics. In professional golf, this is significant, as players might choose different ball types based on spin rate, which factors into team pairings.
“Foursome presents a unique challenge in terms of pairing players because there are many elements to consider,” explained US Captain Keegan Bradley. “It’s crucial to align personalities when choosing partners for Foursome since it’s a more demanding format.”
Interestingly, the team that has excelled in Foursome has won the overall competition in each of the last five Ryder Cups.
In fact, Foursome set the tone two years ago when Europe dominated the US, winning 4-0 in the opening session in Rome. The Americans struggled to recover, resulting in Europe winning 7-1 overall and amassing five points in the Ryder Cup.
Reflecting back to the 2012 Ryder Cup, the home team had a pronounced advantage in Foursomes, wildly outperforming the visitors with a score of 36½ to 11½.
For this edition, it appears that European players hold a significant edge. Looking at their records, Europeans have performed better historically in Foursome matchups.
Out of 10 European players who have played Foursomes, they have a combined record of 30 wins, 15 losses, and 2 ties. Meanwhile, the seven American players have a less impressive record of 8 wins to 13 losses, with only one player, Colin Morikawa, holding a positive outcome at 2-1.
On the other hand, some European players truly shine in Foursome. Justin Rose boasts an impressive record of 7-2-1, with John Rahm at 7-5-1 and Tommy Fleetwood undefeated at 4-0.
The performance in Foursome on Friday morning will likely provide valuable insights into how the rest of the Ryder Cup could unfold.
There are quite a few strategies involved in deciding the order of play and how to pair teammates effectively.
In Foursome, Player A makes the initial drive, which is then followed by Player B for the next shot. They alternate hits until the ball is holed, with the low score from each team counting toward the match play total.
For instance, it would be strategic for the Americans to ensure Bryson DeChambeau, a long hitter, takes a drive on a par-5 hole. Similarly, Europe would want Rory McIlroy to do the same.
“Trust is key when you’re playing with a partner,” noted Gary Woodland, one of Bradley’s vice captains, who has experience with this format from the Presidents Cup. “Bad shots happen, and they can be a hassle, but it’s different knowing someone else is in it with you, making it a collaborative effort.”
As for Europe, it seems unlikely that Captain Luke Donald will make significant changes to his pairings from the previous event in Rome. He brings back 11 players, including everyone who took part in Foursomes previously.
During the Friday morning matches in Rome, pairs like Rahm and Hatton, Åberg and Hovland, and McIlroy and Fleetwood contributed to that strong 4-0 lead.
Donald referred to the Ryder Cup in Rome as “another animal,” emphasizing the unique challenges it posed.
“Repeating the success we had in Rome doesn’t mean we’ll replicate everything; it’s about implementing new strategies,” he said. “I’ve focused on exactly what’s needed for this situation.”
