Sports

Americans look to bring back Ryder Cup

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MEDINAH, Ill. — After four days of niceties saturating the Chicago-area air as the Ryder Cup captains and players bathed each other in compliments, the nasty begins today with the first matches of the anticipated three-day competition at Medinah Country Club.

“There’s something about Ryder Cup which kind of intrigues me: How you can be great mates with somebody, but, boy, do you want to kill them in Ryder Cup?’’ Ian Poulter, the liveliest wire on the European team, said. “The Ryder Cup means too much to us for it ever to lose that edge.’’

The beginning of the 39th Ryder Cup matches felt real yesterday afternoon when captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal announced their pairings for this morning’s foursome (alternate shot) pairings.

Leading off for the Americans in the first match at 8:20 a.m. will be veteran Jim Furyk and rookie Brandt Snedeker against Rory McIlroy, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, and Graeme McDowell, the player who closed out Europe’s win in 2010.

The second match features Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley against Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia, while the third match pits Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson against Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari.

The fourth match features Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker against Ian Poulter and Justin Rose.

Woods batting cleanup instead of leadoff, which he always has, is intriguing, because clearly the Europeans were hoping for McIlroy and McDowell to face him in the opening match in an effort to break some U.S. spirit and set a tone — something they have had success with in the past.

This marks the first time since 1997 that a U.S. captain has not sent out a group with either Woods or Mickelson in the first match. During that span, those opening groups featuring either Woods or Mickelson produced only one win. So perhaps Love took a good look at that number.

Love’s opening foursomes groups will feature three of his four rookies, a clear indication he wanted them to get their first Ryder Cup experience immediately.

Snedeker is the hottest player in the world, just days removed from winning the $10 million FedEx Cup prize as well as the Tour Championship. He’s also one of the most high-strung personalities on the team and Love said he thought it was important to send Snedeker out first to help his nervous energy.

Furyk, playing in his eighth Ryder Cup, has played with 13 different partners and doesn’t have a winning record with any of them.

The four players Love sat out were Webb Simpson, the reigning U.S. Open champion, Bubba Watson, the reigning Masters champion, Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson.

Love said he struggled with figuring out which players to sit in the morning session and he strongly indicated that all four would play in the afternoon four-ball matches.

“I’ve got four of the best players in the world that love this golf course sitting on the bench and I’m going to have to get them in the game,’’ the U.S. captain said.

Europe has won four of the last five Ryder Cups and six of the last eight, with the only U.S. victories coming in 1999 and 2008.

The four foursomes matches in the morning are followed by four four-ball matches (best ball) in the afternoon with the first afternoon match scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

There are eight points available today and tomorrow with the same format played and then 12 singles matches on Sunday for a total of 28 points. To win the Ryder Cup, 14 1/2 points are necessary, and if the event ends in a 14-14 tie, Europe retains the Cup based on its 2010 victory at Celtic Manor in Wales.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com