Are these the opening Ryder Cup foursomes?

Just like on Strictly, who you get paired with matters at the Ryder Cup.

If you’re Anton Du Beke, and you’ve got Ann Widdicombe, you know Len Goodman’s not going to be going for double digits very often – if at all.

And that’s the problem facing Darren Clarke and Davis Love III in the final hours of this phony war at Hazeltine.

We’ll soon know who is going into battle for Europe and the United States of America in tomorrow’s opening foursomes.

The whole tenor of the matches depends on the two skippers pulling out a tactical blinder.

If the chemistry’s wrong (Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter anyone?) then it’s an early lunch and an extended spell in the locker room until the singles.

Get it right, though, and you can ride a wave of momentum all the way through to lifting that glorious bit of gold on Sunday evening.

You’d expect us, of course, to have an opinion on who should go together for a Ryder Cup dance and you are right. We do.

So, at the risk at you all taking the proverbial in a few hours time when Clarke and Love III finally show their hands, here’s who we think are going to represent Team Europe and Team USA when the opening shots are fired.

Match 1

Henrik Stenson & Justin Rose v Phil Mickelson & Zach Johnson

For Europe’s sake, let’s hope 2014’s golden duo get out of the blocks quickly against The Odd Couple.

It’s a contractual requirement of Ryder Cups that Europe send out a ‘powerhouse’ first (and you must always refer to it as such as well) so expect Henrik and Justin to lead the charge.

Mickelson and Johnson just seem the most unlikely pairing. You’ve got the take-no-risks, lay-up-at-all-times, my wedge is my favourite club Johnson and the man who just can’t refuse any shot – no matter how ridiculous.

But they’ve proved their worth in Presidents Cups. Maybe opposites really do attract.

Match 2

Danny Willett & Lee Westwood v Dustin Johnson & Matt Kuchar

This one might draw a gallery. But if the crowd are a bit lively – and why wouldn’t they be with DJ crashing drives 370 yards down the fairway? – then who do you want beside you if you are Danny Willett?

You want the Gandalf of the European team – the wrinkled, wizened, wily old head who’s seen it all and seen them all off.

Lee Westwood experienced Brookline. Think anything tomorrow morning will bother him?

Johnson and Kuchar will be a tough twosome to break. Do it, though, and watch the European fireworks for the rest of the day.

Match 3

Martin Kaymer & Thomas Pieters v Ryan Moore & Brandt Snedeker

At the risk of using a stereotype, and overlooking the fact that Pieters is actually Belgian (never let facts get in the way of a good simile), I see the pairing of Kaymer and Pieters as like a sleek Mercedes.

It looks good and, when you go through the gears, it just gets better and better.

Moore and Snedeker could be a desperation pairing for Love III if he goes through with it.

But, if he doesn’t, what is the point of having the duo on his team? Anyone think Sneds is going to smash it in fourballs? I just feel if these two don’t play in the morning, they might not appear at all on day one.

Match 4

Sergio Garcia & Rory McIlroy vs Jordan Spieth & Patrick Reed

Don’t cry Andy Sullivan. You’ll get your chance to go out and play with your best bud Rory.

But you need a bit of glamour, and a bit of steel, at the bottom of the pile and, for that, I can think of no one better than Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy.

If it’s a proper rhumba (that’s rhumba not rumble) you are after, then they will be up against Jordan Spieth & Patrick Reed.

These two look like they are more likely to fight each other than their opponents but it worked brilliantly at Gleneagles and should do again.

What a way to finish the opening skirmishes.