Ryder Cup: Friday four-balls announced with Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton out first

Friday’s four-ball pairings have been announced, with leading Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton leading Europe out at 11:25am (BST) against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

Friday’s four-balls:

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton set the tone early, winning 4&3 against world number one Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns.

Viktor Hovland and rookie Ludvig Aberg followed suit in match two, also winning 4&3, against Max Homa and Brian Harman.

Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka had to shake off some late jitters to take down Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler winning 3&1, and with momentum seemingly shifting towards Schauffele and Cantlay, looking like tying the match on the 15th, a lengthy Tommy Fleetwood putt sent the Europeans 2UP with three to play.

It’s surely given both captains a lot to think about.

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth were always going to be sent out together, though it's a surprise to see Schauffele and Cantlay split up. Cantlay is sat while Schauffele plays last with Morikawa. 

Scheffler had his moments this morning but was held back by an out-of-sorts Sam Burns and will play four-balls with Brooks Koepka.

Homa, too, was held back somewhat by his partner and goes out with US Open champion Wyndham Clark.

The European pairings are much more surprising. Ludvig Aberg is sat out with Hatton partnering Hovland and Rahm going out with rookie Nicolai Hojgaard. Fellow rookie Robert MacIntyre goes out with veteran Justin Rose, while McIlroy takes the bottom match again with Matt Fitzpatrick.

Liam Williams

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