Ryder debutant Lawrie pairs with fellow Scotsman Colin Montgomerie against David Duval and Phil Mickelson in the alternate-stroke opener of the biennial team golf matches between Europe and the United States.

But the match-up eagerly looked forward to is the one between golf phenomenon Tiger Woods and Spanish teen sensation Sergio Garcia. Rookie Garcia and Sweden's Jesper Parnevik will face Woods and Tom Lehman.

Garcia, who at 19 will be the youngest player in Ryder Cup history, staged a memorable duel with Woods at last month's PGA Championship. Woods, 23, won his second major title at Medinah but Garcia won over the crowd and fans everywhere with his youthful enthusiasm and an amazing off-balance shot from near a tree to keep the pressure on Woods.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Padraig Harrington of Irelandplay US Open champion Payne Stewart and Davis Love, with Jeff Maggert and Hal Sutton paired against England's Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke (Ireland) in the final early match.

Europeans need 14 points to keep the Cup. Americans need 14.5 to wrest it away, something they have failed to do since 1993.