LIV Golf stars face off in Friday Foursomes at Ryder Cup

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Friday’s opening Foursomes match in the Ryder Cup will feature all three LIV Golf players competing this week at Bethpage Black, with the European duo of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton taking on American Bryson DeChambeau and his partner Justin Thomas.

"Couldn't ask for a better pairing," DeChambeau said after the announcement. "We've got a big responsibility and role."

United States captain Keegan Bradley expressed confidence in the new partnership.

"They are both incredible players," Bradley said. "But they are both fiery players. They are both relishing the opportunity to lead out our team. They are just two guys that thrive in that role."

Rahm and Hatton are teammates on Legion XIII, which last month won the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship in a playoff against DeChambeau and his Crushers GC teammate Paul Casey.

"We're going to be going up against a great team, Rahm and Hatton," DeChambeau said. "They're a formidable force, but we want to send a message."

Rahm echoed the sentiments of his LIV Golf rival, recognizing the importance of matching the energy of the DeChambeau/Thomas pairing.

"We are facing two fantastic, very accomplished players," Rahm said. "It will not be easy. They are both players that like to get the crowd going. It will be a very energetic match. But I wouldn't say Tyrrell and I are short of energy ourselves. I think it's going to be a lot of fun for both teams."

While European captain Luke Donald recognizes what DeChambeau brings, he also takes solace in the fact that Rahm and Hatton hit the opening tee shot at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.

"Bryson brings his own crowd," Donald said. "The first tee, first match, wherever you play, home or away, it's intense and pure energy. Jon and Tyrrell got to feel that in Rome, too. I'm excited for them to go out first and lead for us. They played so well two years ago."

Rahm and Hatton faced DeChambeau in a previous Ryder Cup on American soil. Four years ago at Whistling Straits in a Fourballs match, Rahm and Hatton halved their match against DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler.

Two years ago in Europe's win in Rome, Rahm and Hatton won both of their Foursomes matches.

This will be the first time in DeChambeau's three Ryder Cups that he has partnered with Thomas.

The opening match is scheduled for 7:10 a.m. ET.

The other matches set for Friday include:

• Scottie Scheffler/Russell Henley (USA) vs. Ludvig Aberg/Matt Fitzpatrick (Europe)
• Collin Morikawa/Harris English (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy/Tommy Fleetwood (Europe)
• Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay (USA) vs. Robert MacIntyre/Viktor Hovland (Europe)

(Photo by Michael Reaves/PGA of America)