Date: 1-3 October Venue: Hazeltine National in Minnesota

Ryder Cup 2016: Europe and United States teams, playing records and format:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/37361631

Europe's bid to defend the Ryder Cup could be hit this week by the sort of Tour Championship curse that undermined the United States before their most recent defeat at Gleneagles. Two years ago the American team travelled to Scotland in the knowledge that they would not be fielding their strongest possible line-up.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/37411965

Europe's Lee Westwood says Tiger Woods' role as a USA vice-captain for the Ryder Cup could have an "adverse effect in the team room".

http://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/37437290

Tiger Woods will be a 'huge advantage' to the USA Ryder Cup team at this week's event in Minnesota, according to fellow vice captain Tom Lehman. The 14-time major winner has won just one of his six Ryder Cups as a player. But Lehman said: "There is no peer when it comes to breaking down and attacking a course. He has a level of strategic analysis that nobody else can match." Europe vice-captain Padraig Harrington said some of their players could find the presence of Woods "off putting".

http://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/37466273

Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson has been named as the United States' fifth vice-captain for this weekend's Ryder Cup against Europe at Hazeltine. The 37-year-old world number seven was overlooked for captain Davis Love's final wildcard, with Tour Championship runner-up Ryan Moore selected instead. Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Tom Lehman and Steve Stricker are Love's other assistants. The US are trying to stop Europe winning a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy says he will be driven by the desire to win for childhood hero Darren Clarke as Europe aim for a fourth Ryder Cup victory in a row against the United States. Europe begin the defence of their trophy in Minnesota on Friday. McIlroy was only 10 when he first met Europe skipper Clarke, 17 years ago.

Former Ireland rugby captain Paul O'Connell prepares to deliver a motivational talk to Europe's Ryder Cup team before the match against the United States. O'Connell, who led Ireland to Six Nations Championship success in 2014 and 2015, was invited to Hazeltine by European team captain Darren Clarke. "We're just going to have a chat. I'm a bit nervous about it because it is something you want to do right," said O'Connell, who quit international rugby after injuring a hamstring during the 2015 World Cup.

Europe & United States pairings announced

http://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/37513687

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson will lead Europe's challenge to win a fourth successive Ryder Cup against the United States in Friday's opening foursomes. The duo, who won the first point as Europe won at Gleneagles in 2014, tee off at 13:35 BST against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan face Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer take on Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson, while Thomas Pieters and Lee Westwood play Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar.

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Europe fought back from a 4-0 foursomes whitewash to cut the USA's lead to 5-3 after day one of the Ryder Cup. In the afternoon fourballs, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose won 5&4 against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello beat JB Holmes and Ryan Moore 3&2, with Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters beating Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar 3&2. But Brooks Koepka and Brandt Snedeker won 5&4 against Danny Willet and Martin Kaymer to ensure the US remain ahead.

Pairings for Saturday's Foursomes

Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose will partner rookies in Saturday's foursomes as Europe begins day two of the Ryder Cup 5-3 behind the United States. Stenson will play with Matt Fitzpatrick against Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka while Rose partners Chris Wood against Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson. Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters take on Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler. Spanish duo Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello also stay together to take on Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth.

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With Saturday play all over:

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Europe's Rory McIlroy asked for a foul-mouthed American fan to be thrown out of the Ryder Cup during his fourball win with Thomas Pieters on Saturday. The Northern Irishman, 27, said he was verbally abused when he was walking to the eighth tee, stopping to point the offender out to officials at Hazeltine. "Someone said a few derogatory things I thought were over the line," said McIlroy after winning a third point. "That particular guy, who is in a small minority, just took it a bit too far." It is unclear if the man was escorted off the course and McIlroy said he was "unsure if the man had been removed".

The United States dominated the final-day singles to win the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2008, beating Europe 17-11 at Hazeltine. Trailing 9½-6½ after the first two days, Europe looked set for a Medinah-style comeback when they led in seven of the 12 singles matches. But the hosts turned the tide, Patrick Reed defeating Rory McIlroy in an epic tussle for the first of seven US wins. Ryan Moore beat Lee Westwood on the 18th green for the decisive point.

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