Tiger Woods is on the course at the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2012.
Coming off his first victory in more than five years in the Tour Championship, Woods received a warm round of applause from the pro-European crowd when introduced at the first tee with teammate Patrick Reed. They are facing Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood in the anchor match of Friday morning fourballs.
Here’s a look at the facts and figures for the 42nd Ryder Cup, which starts Friday at Le Golf National.
Format
Four matches of fourballs (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Saturday, 12 singles matches on Sunday.
Points
The United States needs 14 points to retain the cup. Europe needs 14½ points to win the cup.
Series
United States leads 26-13-2.
Last Edition
In the first Ryder Cup since U.S. players had a stronger voice in the structure of its team, the American won 17-11 at Hazeltine for their biggest Ryder Cup rout since 1981. For the first time since 1975, every American player contributed a point. Patrick Reed led the Americans with a 3-1-1 record, including a leadoff singles victory over Rory McIlroy.
Captains
Jim Furyk (United States), Thomas Bjorn (Europe).
European Roster
Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson.
U.S. Roster
Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Tiger Woods.
Key Statistic
The Americans have not won the Ryder Cup away from home since 1993.
Noteworthy
Phil Mickelson sets a Ryder Cup record by competing for the 12th time. He has had 55 teammates and 15 partners in his Ryder Cup career.
Quoteworthy
"Allez le bleu!" — European captain Thomas Bjorn to end the opening ceremony. It translates to "Go Blue!"
Friday Pairings (Fourballs)
2:20 a.m., Brooks Koepka-Tony Finau (US) vs. Justin Rose-Jon Rahm (Europe); 2:25 a.m., Dustin Johnson-Rickie Fowler (US) vs. Rory McIlroy-Thorbjorn Olesen (Europe); 2:40 a.m., Jordan Spieth-Justin Thomas (US) vs. Paul Casey-Tyrrell Hatton (Europe); 2:55 a.m. — Patrick Reed-Tiger Woods (US) vs. Franceso Molinari-Tommy Fleetwood (Europe).