The morning matches have been announced and there are some intriguing pairings kicking off the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Right, so we are so close to the Ryder Cup that we can almost taste the Yankee bashing. Captains Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo have announced their pairings for the morning foursomes matches, with Happy Phil and Anthony Kim taking on Paddy Harrington and Robert Karlsson at 2pm SA time. Leonard and Mahan take on Stenson and Casey in the alternative shot format 15 minutes later and the its Cink and Campbell taking on best mates Rose and Poulter.

The final match sees hometown man Perry and Furyk against the strong Garcia and Westwood combination – with Garcia having the unbelievable record of played eight, won eight in this format. In fact, the Spaniard averages nearly four points (out of a possible 5) per Ryder Cup, so he certainly is a handy player to have.

Then again, the Yanks murdered the International team in the 2007 Presidents Cup foursomes matches, taking 10 and a half points to the visitors’ paltry half a point, so maybe they have learned how to play this version of the game that can make or lose friends very easily. Here are the pairings:

Phil Mickelson & Anthony Kim vs Padraig Harrington & Robert Karlsson 14h05,

Justin Leonard & Hunter Mahan vs Henrik Stenson & Paul Casey 14h20,

Stewart Cink & Chad Campbell vs Justin Rose & Ian Poulter 14h35,

Kenny Perry & Jim Furyk vs Sergio Garcia & Lee Westwood 14h50.