GLENEAGLES, Scotland — Two days after Phil Mickelson poked fun at Rory McIlroy, they face off in the Ryder Cup.
Mickelson and Keegan Bradley, undefeated as a team at Medinah, play the European powerhouse of McIlroy and Sergio Garcia in the opening session of fourballs on Friday at Gleneagles.
Mickelson took a playful jab at McIlroy when he said the best part of American unity is the players don’t “litigate against each other.” McIlroy has a court battle against his old management firm and the lawsuit now involves Graeme McDowell.
Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson will hit the opening shot in the better-ball format against Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.
Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker go up against Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer; and Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed play Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter.
Pairings for the opening session of fourballs matches Friday at the Ryder Cup (all times EDT):
2:35 a.m. – Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, United States, vs. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, Europe.
2:50 a.m. – Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker, United States, vs. Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer, Europe.
3:05 a.m. – Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, United States, vs. Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter, Europe.
3:20 a.m. – Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson, United States, vs. Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy, Europe.