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Ryder Cup 2018 - as it happened: USA take lead after Friday fourballs
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Your support makes all the difference.The 2018 Ryder Cup is underway at Le Golf National. Jim Furyk has selected Tony Finau and Brooks Koepka to lead the US team out in Paris and they will be up against Thomas Bjorn's strong opening pairing of Justin Rose and Jon Rahm.
Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen will play match two against Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey and rookie Tyrrell Hatton face Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in match three, before the much-anticipated appearance of Tiger Woods alongside the fiery Patrick Reed, who play Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood.
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Preview
What time does it start?
It all gets underway at 7.10am on Friday morning with the opening fourballs.
Where can I watch it?
The whole tournament is being broadcast on Sky Sports Golf. You can also stream it online via SkyGo. It is also available on NowTV.
For those without access to any of those The Independent will be live blogging the entire weekend.
Who's playing?
Some of the very best golfers on the planet. Tiger Woods leads the American team while new world number one Justin Rose is Europe's leading light.
Who's going to win?
USA Evens
Europe 5/4
Draw 11/1
McIlroy & Olesen v Johnson & Fowler (3UP)
Just as Olesen thought he had a chance to claw one back, Rickie Fowler holes a monster putt from Siberia. It's halved with birdies and the Europeans are three down with four to play.
Rose & Rahm (1UP) vs Koepka & Finau
Finau falters again on fifteen as his approach comes up short but Koepka is there to clean up. The American taps in for a two-putt par and suddenly there's huge pressure on Rose and Rahm to hole one of their 8 footers. Rahm misses on the low side but Rose hammers it in the middle and they retain a slender lead. Clutch moment.
Rose & Rahm (1UP) vs Koepka & Finau
A miraculous piece of luck on the par-3 sixteenth for underperforming Tony Finau. His tee-shot looked destined for the water but bounced off the wooden banking and settled just a few feet from the flag. Koepka lays up safely to the centre of the green so they can secure the par.
Rose is on the green but it'll take something special to halve this one.
Molinari & Fleetwood vs Woods & Reed (A/S)
It's messy on the thirteenth as Tommy Fleetwood duffs it into the water from a horrible lie right of the fairway. Tiger Woods goes through the back and Reed can only find the front. Again it's that man Molinari with a chance to win the hole with his third birdie in a row...but this time it just squeaks wide.
Rose & Rahm vs Koepka & Finau (A/S)
The crowd boo Tony Finau as he lines up his short birdie putt to win but their efforts are fruitless. The leading match is level with two to play thanks to that lucky bounce.
McIlroy & Olesen v Johnson & Fowler (3UP)
Dustin Johnson has a chance to put Rory McIlroy out of his misery on the fifteen but the putt dies to the left at the last minute. Still it's dormie three for the Americans as they tee-off on sixteen.
McIlroy & Olesen v Johnson & Fowler (3UP)
And that's surely buried it. Johnson's tee-shot on sixteen is sublime and can't be more than 8ft from the hole. The Americans look to have secured the first point of the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy & Olesen def. by Johnson & Fowler (4&2)
And it's all over. Neither McIlroy or Olesen can get the birdie and the Americans officially lead the Ryder Cup.
Casey & Hatton vs Spieth & Thomas (1UP)
Finally Justin Thomas turns the tides of momentum. Casey and Hatton had done so well to fight back to all square but Spieth's second into the fifteenth was too good. Neither Englishman can match his birdie and they fall behind once more.
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