Ryder Cup teams: Team Europe revealed - who joins Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia?
RYDER CUP teams - Find out all you need to know on Team Europe heading into this week at Le Golf National.
How does the Ryder Cup format work?
Team Europe Captain
Thomas Bjorn - Never lost the Ryder Cup as a player having made three appearances. He was the first Danish player to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup in 1997.
Team Europe vice-captains
Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, Robert Karlsson, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood
RYDER CUP SCORING FORMAT EXPLAINED
RYDER CUP LIVE: UPDATES FROM DAY ONE AT LE GOLF NATIONAL
Rory McIlroy
Ryder Cups: 5
Ryder Cup record: Won 9, Lost 6, Halved 4
Majors: 4
Was engulfed in a tense singles match with Patrick Reed in 2016 with the crowd loving every minute of it. Europe’s hopes will largely rest on his shoulders.
Justin Rose
Ryder Cups: 4
Ryder Cup record: W11, L6, H2
Majors: 1
What a sensational years it’s been for Rose. He relinquished his spot as the world No 1 at the weekend but winning the FedEx Cup pocketed him a sweet $10million pay-day.
Ian Poulter
Ryder Cups: 5
Ryder Cup record: W12, L4, H2
Majors: 0
‘Mr Ryder Cup’ for Team Europe makes a return to in 2018 and will be fired up having missed out on the 2016 trip to Hazeltine.
Tommy Fleetwood
Ryder Cups: 0
Ryder Cup record: N/A
Majors: 0
One of five Ryder Cup debutants for Team Europe. Rose up the European rankings this year and won last year at Le Golf National.
RYDER CUP WAGS: MEET THE WOMEN BEHIND THE PLAYERS
Tyrrell Hatton
Ryder Cups: 0
Ryder Cup record: N/A
Majors: 0
Another to make his debut. Hatton could be a live-wire for Team Europe when needing a spark.
Sergio Garcia
Ryder Cups: 8
Ryder Cup record: W19, L11, H7
Majors: 1
Probably the most contentious choice from Thomas Bjorn with several suggesting Rafa Cabrera Bello deserved the captain’s pick instead. Still, his pedigree in the Ryder Cup speaks for itself.
Paul Casey
Ryder Cups: 3
Ryder Cup record: W3, L2, H4
Majors: 0
Has forged a name for himself in America as a consistent top-10 player. Making his first Ryder Cup appearance since 2008.
Francesco Molinari
Ryder Cups: 2
Ryder Cup record: W0, L3, H2
Majors: 1
Has been entertaining the European team with his dead-pan attitude. Will undoubtedly be looking to improve upon his poor Ryder Cup record.
*GentingBet break Ian Poulter’s Ryder Cup record below*
Alex Noren
Ryder Cups: 0
Ryder Cup record: N/A
Majors: 0
May not be the most vocal of Europeans. Could prove silent but deadly for Team Europe over the weekend.
Thorbjorn Olesen
Ryder Cups: 0
Ryder Cup record: N/A
Majors: 0
Has hit top form in recent months, claiming four top-six finishes.
Jon Rahm
Ryder Cups: 0
Ryder Cup record: N/A
Majors: 0
Rah only played his first full season on the Tour in 2017, but has firmly established himself as one of the world’s most talented golfers. Will be a force to be reckoned with this week.
Henrik Stenson
Ryder Cups: 4
Ryder Cup record: W6, L7, H2
Majors: 1
Holds an impressive record in the fourballs and his presence in the team provides more experience for the youthful side.
RYDER CUP PAIRINGS ANNOUNCED
Tiger Woods will partner Patrick Reed against Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood in the fourth and final fourballs match when the Ryder Cup gets underway on Friday, a grouping sure to be the number one draw for fans at Le Golf National.
Woods, back in the competition after not playing in the last two editions, is in hot form and it looks a formidable partnership with this year's Masters champion Reed.
The first match of the day sees Justin Rose and Spanish rookie Jon Rahm taking on Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau.
Rory McIlroy and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen face world number one Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, while English duo Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton take on Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
Two years ago at Hazeltine the United States swept to a 4-0 lead in the opening morning's foursomes - where players play alternate shots with the same ball - and though Europe fought back to close the gap, the home side eventually ran out convincing 17-11 winners.
This time Europe have opted to start the day with the fourball format where each man plays his own ball and the lowest scoring player on each side counts in the matchplay competition.
Over 7,000 fans will ring the first tee when play gets underway at 08.10 local time on Friday, creating a noise and atmosphere unlike anything seen in any other golf event.