Ryder Cup day one pairings: Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood reunited - reaction

Luke Donald was accused of mocking the United States Ryder Cup team during his opening ceremony speech yesterday over the fact their players are being compensated for the first time in history. 

Donald says he wrote the speech months ago. 

"Well, it wasn't directed at the US," he says. "My speech was directed at my players.

"I wrote that speech six months ago, maybe, okay. We have been very consistent where we stand and what we play for. 

"We're not concerned about what the US are doing."

Keegan Bradley has had his say. 

Now it's time for Luke Donald. 

The Englishman begins his short news conference by saying he could have "very easily" rolled out the same partnerships from two years ago. 

He elected to try something new. 

Says Donald: "Again, we understand the US is strong, strong in foursomes. They have some strong partnerships. 

"We saw that coming in here, no matter what sort of combinations they went with.

"We feel like this is our strongest to go against them. We want to get off to a good start like we did in Rome but we also understand the challenge ahead of us. 

"This is a lineup that we are very, very comfortable with."

Rory McIlroy has offered a quick reaction to the news he is reuniting with Tommy Fleetwood for tomorrow's opening session. 

They are playing Harris English and Collin Morikawa. 

He says: "Honestly really happy to partner with this guy again. 

"We had a great time in Rome a couple years ago. We are very close. 

"Our families are very close. Yeah, [we are going to] try to get another blue point on the board."

Adds Fleetwood: "Yeah, really just can't wait to get out there. Been waiting a long time for this."

Bradley made a mistake during his speech at the opening ceremony yesterday. 

He said his passion for the Ryder Cup started when he watched Justin Rose's putt drop on the 17th hole at Brookline Country Club in 1999. 

Bradley, of course, meant to say 'Leonard'. 

He says of the mistake: "Somebody yelled out Justin Rose right before I read it and said it. 

"I didn't even know until I was done. Honest mistake. We are really happy we've gotten to this point. 

"Feels like we were waiting a year and a half for this moment just then and now that we see the matchups on paper and know that we are going to go out tomorrow and play, it's an incredible feeling."

Keegan Bradley: "We've been working on these pairings for a long time. We had a really good idea of what we were going to do today - or tomorrow. It's just a matter of executing that plan.

"You have to wait and see how healthy everybody is, if they get sick or whatever it is. 

"We've had none of that so far and we have been working on these pairings for a long time. 

"We are really excited to get them out there tomorrow."

On giving Bryson DeChambeau the green light to try and drive the first green: Yes, sir. Let him get up there. We want him to do what he does, and he got up there today and hammered one right in the in front of the green. 

Bryson thrives under this sort of atmosphere. For me when I would go out on these first tees, I would be very nervous and didn't know what to expect. 

I see Bryson and I can see him walking out there just relishing the moment and relishing the chance to get up there and hit that shot.

Bryson has been a leader in our room. He's been an incredible teammate. What a better two guys to lead our team out tomorrow than Justin and Bryson.

One can only imagine just how loud the first tee will be tomorrow morning at 7.10am.

Bryson DeChambeau is sure to rev the United States fans up by attempting to drive the first green. 

And his team-mate, Justin Thomas, will also bring the passion. 

We're going to pause this live blog for now. 

We'll be back with some reaction from Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley shortly. 

Will see Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland face Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. 

Collin Morikawa and Harris English. 

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood. 

Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley.

Will see Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick. 

Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas. 

Will be Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.

Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley have been spotted. 

They share a warm embrace before heading to the Golf Channel studio. 

A reminder the pairings have already been sent in... 

Not long to go now. 

You can follow the announcement here, or alternatively watch it live at the top of this page.

Just hit the play button. 

US president Donald Trump will be at the Ryder Cup tomorrow. 

Extra security measures have been announced and fans have been advised by the PGA of America to get here as early as possible. 

Robert MacIntyre didn't seem too bothered about his arrival. 

The Scot labelled Trump "just another spectator" in his news conference. 

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We're 15 minutes away from finding out who will be playing in tomorrow's first session. 

The European players weren't the only ones to field questions from reporters this morning. 

US rookie Ben Griffin said he feels calm, composed and really excited for the challenge ahead. 

He said Team USA is a lot closer than what is being portrayed in the media. 

Sam Burns became the latest player to confirm he's giving away his $200,000 stipend to charity. 

And Bryson DeChambeau, who is expected to thrill crowds this weekend, spoke about his rivalry with Rory McIlroy. 

DeChambeau promised to be chirping in McIlroy's ear if the two were to find themselves in a match.

But the two-time US Open champion doesn't believe it's likely they'll play more than one match against each other. 

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There has plenty of discussion over what the European team will endure at Bethpage Black. 

New York's sports fans are renowned for being some of the most vociferous and unforgiving. 

Matthew Fitzpatrick revealed his parents have made the decision not to come this week to support their son, in part, because of the abuse they received at Whistling Straits four years ago. 

Jon Rahm laughed off some of the heckling he has already received here. 

One US fan made a remark about Ozempic towards the golfer. 

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Watch his explanation here:

Rory McIlroy was as candid as ever as he spoke about how much the Ryder Cup means to him. 

This will be his eighth appearance since he made his debut 15 years ago at Celtic Manor. 

McIlroy explained this morning a conference call with the late, great Seve Ballesteros to the European team two days before his debut changed how he felt about the Ryder Cup. 

The Northern Irishman, famously, described the Ryder Cup as an "exhibition". 

How times have changed. 

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Several European players held their news conferences this morning. 

Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre all offered their thoughts ahead of the dust-up. 

First up was Viktor Hovland, who revealed he'll just laugh off any hecklers over the next few days. 

As far as the Norwegian is concerned, the gibes won't really come close to the thoughts he has in his own head.