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Ryder Cup: Day two preview and tips from Ben Coley in Paris
It was a good first day for Europe and for followers of Ben Coley's tips - don't miss our man's advice ahead of Saturday's action at the Ryder Cup.
Recommended bets: Ryder Cup day two
2pts Justin Thomas to be top USA scorer at 4/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Yesterday, I wrote that Thomas Bjorn might just have attempted a rope-a-dope and, while far more dramatic and pronounced than perhaps intended, it paid off in style as Europe won the foursomes 4-0 to lead 5-3 overall.
In starting the Ryder Cup with fourballs, Bjorn posed some difficult questions to opposite number Jim Furyk - are you willing to send players like Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson out early, and if not will you be brave enough to leave them on the bench all day?
Furyk responded by playing both in the format which would appear to suit them least, particularly around a tight course like Le Golf National, and Bjorn's strong European foursomes line-up took full advantage by making history in the afternoon.
Bjorn's plan did not include losing the fourballs 3-1, of course, but he did succeed in forcing Furyk into an undoubted mistake and it's the blue team who carry the initiative into Saturday's play.
Viewed that way, it's less surprising that Furyk reverts to his preferred fourball pairings, those who were so successful in the opening session. Still, the two who lost - Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods - can perhaps count themselves fortunate. Webb Simpson really ought to be playing instead of one of them.
Bjorn meanwhile looks like a man with a plan, one he'll largely stick to. He couldn't very well choose an identical fourball line-up given that his side suffered a heavy morning defeat, but nor did he simply send the eight who were so dominant in a different format back into battle.
Perhaps his shrewdest move will prove to be resting Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson for another foursomes assault, the former certainly in need of a break, and there's some temptation to back Europe to win the second session of the day once more.
That said, the market has adjusted accordingly and I'd rather side with Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in some way, namely giving the edge to the latter at around 4/1 in the top USA scorer market.
The first point to make is that six players remain genuine contenders for this, unless all goes hopelessly wrong. And of the six, it's these two who both impressed in fourballs and, to my eye, look well-drawn for the third session.
I was disappointed with Jon Rahm's back-nine display alongside Rose while Ian Poulter, for all he looked to play well with Rory McIlroy, is probably a slightly better foursomes player. This untested combination could click and produce fireworks but I'm not totally convinced and that makes this US duo the pick of the pairings.
However, they're odds-on and short enough whereas if they do win the full point, they will be out again in foursomes. That's hinted at in the fact that Furyk has held them back for the final match of the morning, allowing a little more time to recover if they fill the same spot in the afternoon.
With all that in mind, and the fact that Spieth's singles record rates a genuine concern, Thomas ought to be clear favourite. Having passed over the 7/1 about my strongest fancy from the head of the betting before the event began, I'm more than happy to go in now that he's ahead of six compatriots and looks poised to add to his tally over the weekend.
Posted at 1855 BST on 28/09/18.
Ryder Cup 2018: Schedule, format & timings
- Venue: Le Golf National
- To win: 14½ points from the 28 available are needed to win the Ryder Cup. As holders, USA will retain the trophy if it finishes 14-14.
- TV: Sky Sports
Friday morning, 0710 BST start
- 4x Fourball matches (better ball)
* Both players in each pairing play their own ball. A hole is won by the team whose member has the lowest score.
Friday afternoon, 1250 BST start
- 4x Foursomes matches (alternate shot)
* Both players in each pairing take it in turns to play one ball. A hole is won by the team who completes it in the fewest shots
Saturday morning, 0710 BST start
- 4x Fourball matches
Saturday afternoon, 1250 BST start
- 4x Foursomes matches
Sunday, 1105 BST start
- 12 x Singles matches
Ryder Cup: Team line-ups
EUROPE
Captain: Thomas Bjørn
Players:
- Paul Casey
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Sergio Garcia
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Rory McIlroy
- Francesco Molinari
- Alex Noren
- Thorbjørn Olesen
- Ian Poulter
- Jon Rahm
- Justin Rose
- Henrik Stenson
Vice-captains
- Luke Donald
- Padraig Harrington
- Robert Karlsson
- Graeme McDowell
- Lee Westwood
UNITED STATES
Captain: Jim Furyk
Players:
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Tony Finau
- Rickie Fowler
- Dustin Johnson
- Brooks Koepka
- Phil Mickelson
- Patrick Reed
- Webb Simpson
- Jordan Spieth
- Justin Thomas
- Bubba Watson
- Tiger Woods
Vice-captains:
- David Duval
- Zach Johnson
- Matt Kuchar
- Davis Love III
- Steve Stricker