United States captain Tom Watson put his faith in his three youngest players to kickstart his side's bid for an unlikely Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles on Sunday.
Trailing 10-6 going into the 12 singles matches, Watson put 21-year-old rookie Jordan Spieth out first, his playing partner thus far and fellow rookie Patrick Reed, 24, out second and 25-year-old Rickie Fowler third.
That meant a third head-to-head battle of the season for Fowler with world number one Rory McIlroy, the American having finished joint second behind McIlroy at the British Open and third in the US PGA Championship.
Spieth was up against former US Open champion Graeme McDowell – unbeaten in two foursomes with Victor Dubuisson –with Reed taking on Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who won three games alongside Justin Rose before sitting out the fourth session to rest a sore back.
“I knew Paul was going to put out his best players first,” Watson said. “That’s typical of what happens with European captains, they put their strongest players out first. I think we have a good line-up.”
McGinley revealed he knew two years ago he wanted McDowell to play the first match, adding: “I didn’t share it with anyone and I only shared it with Graeme this week.
“He wanted to play five matches and I told him I wanted him to play twice with Victor and be fresh to play number one on Sunday. (He has) a big heart, big player, loves the big occasion.
“And for me, you need a fighter, a real fighter in that first game. That sets the tone for the day. That’s the guy that goes in with the hard tackle, the first hard tackle in a soccer match and imposes himself in the middle of midfield. Graeme is that kind of guy.”
McGinley said he was not surprised to see Spieth, Reed and Fowler out early, adding: “He’s got two players up there who proved that they are ready for Ryder Cups. They have performed admirably this week, both of them.
“As much as you have experience, it’s very good, but form is just as good. Form is huge.
“He’s got three young guys going out first three matches. He’s going with guys who are out there to try and make a reputation for themselves, playing on away soil, coming back from a deficit of four points down would be a big motivating factor and I’m sure one Tom will be mentioning tonight.
“It’s important that our guys are ready for that, prepared for it. If they win three of the first four points they have got momentum then coming down.
“They have some big players down the end as well. As I’ve said many times, this is a strong American team. They have got a great mixture in there of a lot of youthfulness and a bedrock of experience. These are not to be underestimated.”
SUNDAY’S SINGLES
11.36am McDowell v Spieth
11.48am Stenson v Reed
12.00pm McIlroy v Fowler
12.12pm Rose v Mahan
12.24pm Gallacher v Mickelson
12.36pm Kaymer v Watson
12.48pm Bjorn v Kuchar
1.00pm Garcia v Furyk
1.12pm Poulter v Simpson
1,24pm Donaldson v Bradley
1.36pm Westwood v Walker
1.48pm Dubuisson v Johnson
