Thomas Bjorn - Europe can't afford slow start
Thomas Bjorn - Europe can't afford slow start

Ryder Cup 2018: Thomas Bjorn dreads slow start


Europe captain Thomas Bjorn admits he dreads a repeat of the opening session whitewash which set the United States on their way to Ryder Cup glory at Hazeltine.

Bjorn was a vice-captain to Darren Clarke in 2016 when Europe were beaten 4-0 in the Friday foursomes and although they rallied to win the afternoon fourballs 3-1, the home side eventually ran out comfortable 17-11 winners, their first victory since 2008.

Asked if it was important to make a good start at Le Golf National on Friday, Bjorn said: "I think it is. I think you build your whole mind up about that first day, and how you see that evolving, and you obviously have a plan for Saturday, but that can change from where you are.

"You don't want to fall behind and see your whole plan that you've laid out falling apart in that first session, and that's what it did for Darren. It's not easy as a captain. I would dread being 4-0 down after Friday morning's session, but I think any captain would do that.

"That's not a great place to be. You can't do anything but second-guess yourself if you're in that situation, but in the end, players have to go out on the golf course and play their golf and do the things that they need to do on the golf course.

"That was an unfortunate start for us last time, and hopefully we're not in that situation on Friday."

Sky Bet's Price Boost ahead of the Ryder Cup
Sky Bet's Price Boost ahead of the Ryder Cup

The United States were already odds-on favourites before Tiger Woods won the Tour Championship on Sunday and moved up to 13th in the world rankings, giving the team their best ever average ranking of 11.17.

Europe's average of 19.03 is their third best since the world rankings began in 1986, but Bjorn could not care less about playing the underdog card as his side seek a ninth win in the last 12 contests.

"Are we underdogs? Probably on paper we are," Bjorn said. "But we still believe that we can win. We still believe that we can go out and do a job on the golf course, and we concentrate on us.

"We concentrate on what we do, our pairings, the people in our team room and everything around that and try and create the best possible environment for those 12 players, and that's my job.

"That's the only thing I can focus on. I can't focus on if we are underdogs or if we are favourites, because that gives me nothing. I've said all along; I'm so much into the process that I don't really look at that kind of picture.

"The same I was asked yesterday about winning or losing or whatever; I don't allow myself to get to that moment on Sunday where that's what I'm thinking about. I'm thinking about what's right in front of me.

"These teams are the two best teams World Ranking-wise that have been across from each other in this event. It's all lined up to be something special, so it's for those 24 players to go out and show that."

Ryder Cup 2018: Tournament schedule, format & timings

  • Venue: Le Golf National
  • To win: 14½ points from the 28 available are needed to win the Ryder Cup. As holders, USA will retain the trophy if it finishes 14-14.
  • TV: Sky Sports

Friday Morning, 0710 BST start

  • 4x Fourballs matches (better ball)

* Both players in each pairing play their own ball. A hole is won by the team whose member has the lowest score.Friday Afternoon, 1250 BST start

  • 4x Foursomes matches (alternate shot)

* Both players in each pairing take it in turns to play one ball. A hole is won by the team who completes it in the fewest shotsSaturday Morning, 0710 BST start

  • 4x Fourballs matches

Saturday Afternoon, 1250 BST start

  • 4x Foursomes matches

Sunday, 1105 BST start

  • 12 x Singles matches

Ryder Cup: Team line-ups

EUROPECaptain: Thomas BjørnPlayers:

  • Paul Casey
  • Tommy Fleetwood
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Tyrrell Hatton
  • Rory McIlroy
  • Francesco Molinari
  • Alex Noren
  • Thorbjørn Olesen
  • Ian Poulter
  • Jon Rahm
  • Justin Rose
  • Henrik Stenson

Vice-captains

  • Luke Donald
  • Padraig Harrington
  • Robert Karlsson
  • Graeme McDowell
  • Lee Westwood

UNITED STATESCaptain: Jim FurykPlayers:

  • Bryson DeChambeau
  • Tony Finau
  • Rickie Fowler
  • Dustin Johnson
  • Brooks Koepka
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Patrick Reed
  • Webb Simpson
  • Jordan Spieth
  • Justin Thomas
  • Bubba Watson
  • Tiger Woods

Vice-captains:

  • David Duval
  • Zach Johnson
  • Matt Kuchar
  • Davis Love III
  • Steve Stricker

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