SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES – Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed will renew their rivalry with Europe's star Ryder Cup pairing Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari in Saturday's morning fourballs as the United States look to recover from a 5-3 deficit.
The Americans swept the first three matches in Friday's fourballs before Fleetwood and Molinari fought back to defeat Woods and Reed 3 and 1 to put Europe on the board at Le Golf National.
Thomas Bjorn's hosts then secured a whitewash in the foursomes for the first time in team history to turn the competition on its head.
Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia take on Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau in Saturday's opening contest, with Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton meeting Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler in the second match.
Woods and Reed, who were left out of the foursomes debacle, will once more face off against Fleetwood and Molinari in the third match.
Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed during their practice round at Le Golf National. Photo: REUTERS/Charles Platiau
It will be Molinari's fourth Ryder Cup encounter with Woods after the two squared off in the singles at both the 2010 and 2012 events.
The Italian also won the British Open in July while playing alongside Woods, who had led with eight holes to go.
Ian Poulter and Jon Rahm battle Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in the anchor match as Jim Furyk kept faith with the same eight who played in Friday's first session.
Schedule for Saturday's matches at Le Golf National (all times local):
Fourballs (best ball)
08:10: (0610 GMT): Rory McIlroy/Sergio Garcia (Europe) v Brooks Koepka/Tony Finau (USA)
08:25: Paul Casey/Tyrrell Hatton (Europe) v Dustin Johnson/Rickie Fowler (USA)
08:40: Francesco Molinari/Tommy Fleetwood (Europe) v Patrick Reed/Tiger Woods (USA)
08:55: Ian Poulter/Jon Rahm (Europe) v Jordan Spieth/Justin Thomas (USA)
From 13:50: Four foursomes (alternate shot) matches
Sunday
From 12:05 p.m.: 12 singles matches
Results from day one (Friday): Europe lead 5-3 after Friday's matches