Andy Sullivan, Thomas Pieters handed Ryder Cup debut in foursomes

Andy Sullivan of England plays a shot during the second round of the South African Open at Glendower Golf Club on January 9, 2015
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Europe's Andy Sullivan and Thomas Pieters will make their Ryder Cup debuts in the opening foursomes at Hazeltine.

Europe's Andy Sullivan and Thomas Pieters have been handed their Ryder Cup debut in the opening foursomes on Friday morning.

At Thursday's opening ceremony in Hazeltine, captains Davis Love III and Darren Clarke were required to reveal their four pairings for the start of the event in Minnesota, and it was announced that Sullivan and Pieters would be given an immediate opportunity to impress for the defending champions.

As expected, the opening match will see USA's Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed take on the experienced pairing of Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.

The second contest will feature the first appearance of Sullivan, who will play alongside Rory McIlroy as they take on Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler.

USPGA champion Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson will face Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer in the third game before US Open champion Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar go head to head with Pieters and Lee Westwood.

The notable absentee from the European pairings is Masters champion Danny Willett, who has been forced to apologise to the USA team after his brother Peter made derogatory comments about Stateside supporters in a column for the National Club Golfer.

Darren Clarke reacts after being named the captain of Europe's Ryder Cup team on February 18, 2015
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