Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Americans are turning to Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson to begin their Ryder Cup defense.

Mickelson and Johnson will take on Europe's best player and the most recent major champion. They will face Lee Westwood and PGA champion Martin Kaymer when matches start Friday at Celtic Manor.

Tiger Woods has a new partner for the Ryder Cup, but not for team competition. He is playing with Steve Stricker. They became the first partnership to go 4-0 at the Presidents Cup last year. For Woods, this is the first time since 1999 he won't be in the leadoff match.

The pairings were announced at an opening ceremony in which U.S. captain Corey Pavin forgot to introduce Stewart Cink. Pavin, however, did remember to put him in the lineup.