Ryder Cup pairings revealed with Bryson DeChambeau to lead out USA… while Rory McIlroy joins forces with familiar teammate

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will lead out Europe in a blockbuster opening foursomes match of the Ryder Cup against Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas after the captains finally showed their hands on Thursday evening.

Rahm and Hatton were unbeaten in Europe’s demolition of the US in Rome two years ago and will resume their fiery pairing against the Americans’ self-appointed rabble-rouser DeChambeau under the gaze of president Trump.

They will be on the first tee at 7.10am local time and followed by Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick’s clash with world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley.

Surprisingly, Luke Donald’s has made the decision to break up the Aberg-Viktor Hovland pairing that left Scheffler in tears after a 9&7 hiding alongside Brooks Koepka in 2023.

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who won both their foursomes matches together in Rome, will face Collin Morikawa and Harris English. The fourth tie will pit Robert MacIntyre and Hovland against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.

Golf fans are eager to see McIlroy and DeChambeau renew their rivalry at some point this weekend, with many of them calling for the pair to battle it out in Sunday’s singles matches.

Earlier this week Bryson ramped up his feud with the Northern Irishman once again after promising to ‘chirp in his ear’ if they go up against each other at the Ryder Cup.

And Rory quickly hit back by telling The Guardian: ‘I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people. That is basically what I think of that. To get attention he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.’

DeChambeau later played down his comments after arriving at Bethpage Black ahead of the golf showpiece, admitting he is looking forward to some friendly banter with McIlroy on the course.

‘All I’m trying to do is inspire kids on YouTube, and we have amassed quite a big audience on YouTube and I’m continuing to focus on that train of thought,’ the American stressed.

‘Whatever Rory says and whatnot, granted I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m excited. I hope we can have some good banter back and forth.’ 

Arguably the most notable time the pair squared off was during the final round of last year’s US Open, when a late, heart-wrenching collapse from McIlroy continued his decade-long major-less streak and handed the win to DeChambeau at Pinehurst.

McIlroy was also paired with DeChambeau when that torrid run finally came to an end earlier this year at The Masters.  

DeChambeau claimed after the event that his arch-nemesis refused to talk with him during the final holes at Augusta National. 

‘We’re trying to win the Masters. I’m not going to try to be his best mate out there,’ McIlroy jabbed back.