10 Ryder Cup matches we'd like to see

There are several reasons to love the Ryder Cup.

The passion. The emotion. The fashionable uniforms.

Ultimately, however, it winds up being about the pairings and matchups. We get to see some of the world's best golfers go hole-to-hole in fourball, foursomes and singles formats. The fun part for those of us who follow the game is predicting — more like dreaming about — the matchups and the matches we'd like to see between the U.S. and Europe.

So with the start of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France closing in, let's look at 10 matches we'd like to see take place this weekend.

Rickie Fowler-Justin Thomas (USA) vs. Alex Noren-Thorbjorn Olesen (Europe)

It's true. Thomas is making his first Ryder Cup appearance, while at 29, Fowler is set for No. 4. The two Americans are good friends and went 2-0-1 when paired together during a U.S. victory at the 2017 Presidents Cup. Noren and Olesen are rookies in terms of the Ryder Cup, but they have plenty of international experience. Their games are somewhat comparable, and playing together at home could ease some of the pressure.

Webb Simpson (USA) vs. Ian Poulter (Europe)

These two veterans have squared off twice in the Ryder Cup. In 2012, Poulter and his putter helped Europe pull off one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the event, at Medinah. He topped Simpson 2-up to catch the Americans on the final day. Two years later at Gleneagles, Poulter and Simpson halved the point as the Europeans recorded a third straight victory. Simpson is still searching for that first singles title and would probably love to get it against Poulter.

Phil Mickelson-Tony Finau (USA) vs. Sergio Garcia-Jon Rahm (Europe)

Sure, Lefty and Sergio aren't playing well enough to be sure things in France, but their experience can't be denied. Mickelson and Garcia have played in a combined 19 Ryder Cups. That experience can be truly invaluable, and their wealth of knowledge should obviously be beneficial to first-timers like Finau and Rahm, the latter of whom is a fellow countryman of Garcia.

Mickelson (USA) vs. Garcia (Europe)

Staying on subject, it's quite possible this will be the last time we see both Mickelson and Garcia playing in the same Ryder Cup. They first met there in 2004, with Garcia winning 3 and 2. But it was at Hazeltine that many believe is the greatest singles match in the event's history. How about one more? For old times' sake.

Tiger Woods-Bryson DeChambeau (USA) vs. Paul Casey-Tommy Fleetwood (Europe)

Several golf pundits believe a Woods-DeChambeau pairing is inevitable at some point this weekend. The two have built a nice relationship while enjoying special 2018 seasons. One is beginning his Ryder Cup career, while the other is trying to extend it. The same is true for the English duo of Casey and Fleetwood. Intertwined by the Nike irons tale, the two are similar players at opposite ends of their careers.

Woods (USA) vs. Francesco Molinari (Europe)

Our last image of Woods at the Ryder Cup was in 2012 when he conceded a half point to Molinari in the final singles match to officially complete Europe's remarkable comeback. All eyes will be on Tiger this weekend, but Molinari should not be forgotten. The 2018 Open Championship winner is playing in his third Ryder Cup while still in search of his first win of any kind at the event — meaning, there just might be some pressure on both.

Dustin Johnson-Brooks Koepka (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy-Ian Poulter (Europe)

This might be a case of unfinished business should Johnson and Koepka pair up.  Even though the U.S. proved victorious in 2016, the two stars lost in the Saturday afternoon fourballs, 3 and 1 to McIlroy and Thomas Pieters. It would be fun to see if Johnson and Koepka can better themselves as a pair this time, and taking down McIlroy and one of the Ryder Cup's all-time greats in Poulter (12-4-2) would be sweet for the Americans.

Patrick Reed (USA) vs. McIlroy (Europe)

Please give us a rematch of 2016? That's when Reed managed to top McIlroy 1-up. The match was tight and filled with plenty of emotion. That contest represented everything golf fans love about the Ryder Cup. Like a prize fight, two of the event's best in 2016 went toe-to-toe, with Reed's win and spectacular Ryder Cup overall helping the Americans claim their first title since 2008

Reed-Jordan Spieth (USA) vs. Justin Rose-Henrik Stenson (Europe)

The pairing of Rose and Stenson has been a staple for Europe at the last two Ryder Cups. They won three matches in two days in 2014, but the familiar team of Reed and Spieth took two of three when they squared off two years ago at Hazeltine. Expect both pairings to surface again this weekend, with the pretty good likelihood of all four going. Who can ask for more?

Koepka (USA) vs. Rose (Europe)

Arguably these are the best golfers on each squad, so it's only fitting they match up. Koepka has won three majors over the last two seasons, while Rose is the 2018 FedEx Cup champion. Koepka rolled by Danny Willett two years ago in his Ryder Cup debut. Rose, meanwhile, is 2-1-1 in singles play at the event, with that defeat being to Fowler in 2016.