2014 Ryder Cup: Schedule, pairings announced for Saturday’s Four-ball matches

The pairings are set for the opening session of day 2 at the Ryder Cup, and USA captain Tom Watson is switching things up at the top of the order.

We knew Phil Mickelson was going to sit out for the USA side. The aging veteran walked off the course Friday evening after a 36-hole march and said he was taking the morning off because he needed to rest. Playing Mickelson in both sessions on Friday was a questionable decision. He’s coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, was exhausted at the end and bailed on the FedEx Cup because it got so bad, and has an arthritis problem that’s more challenging to control in the cold Scottish weather. So despite his undefeated record with Keegan Bradely, it was a bit surprising to see him go out for a full 36-hole march. And he and Keegan were wiped out in the second match.

In addition to Mickelson, we thought Webb Simpson might take a seat. The captain’s pick was the last man on the team and he was awful in the lead match of the day. He struggled off the tee and was worse with his putter. When he and Bubba were closed out on the 14th hole, the thinking was it would be the last time we saw Simpson until Sunday singles, when he has to play.

Simpson’s day 1 partner, however, is back in the lineup. Bubba Watson will be back out again in the lead match, only this time he’s with Matt Kuchar. Watson is also pairing Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan in the second match, which is a new one. The final two are repeats from the first day -- mercifully he has Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth, the stars of the first session, back on the course.

The most notable change for Europe is the break-up of Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia. The two were expected to dominate but needed to finish birdie-birdie over their final two holes just to get a half point from two matches. Rory will be out with Ian Poulter, the same dynamic duo that earned the last point of Saturday in 2012 and ignited the hope of a Sunday comeback at Medinah. Garcia gets the rest while Poulter is subbed in to play with the world No. 1. The first three European pairings are all repeats, although Westwood/Donaldson are playing four-ball for the first time. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson seem to be the most unstoppable duo for either side, and they’re right back in the lead-off spot again on Saturday.

Europe has the lead and it seems more control of their partnerships as we head to the second day.