Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes will lead the US defence of the Presidents Cup against Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama when the 11th edition begins on Thursday for the first time on Asian soil.
But the No. 1 and 2 players in the world, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, were kept apart as captains Nick Price and Jay Haas selected their five pairings on Wednesday for the opening foursome skirmishes at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.
Asian rookies Anirban Lahiri and Thongchai Jaidee, the first Presidents Cup representatives from India and Thailand respectively, go head to head with Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.
As Lahiri-Thongchai take on Fowler and Walker, Day goes with rookie Steve Bowditch against veteran Phil Mickelson, who has played every Presidents Cup since its inception, and the reigning Open champion Zach Johnson. The International team is the underdog, having only won the title once back in 1998. The Americans have a proud record of eight wins, one draw and one defeat to uphold, and have not lost a session in foursomes or fourballs since 2007.
Friday’s second round will see five fourball matches, there will be four more foursomes and four fourballs on Saturday with 12 singles matches rounding off the event on Sunday. With one point awarded for a win in each match the first team to 15-1/2 points will secure the cup.
