Golf-Ryder-U.S. bid to put Europe under early foursome pressure

By Steve Keating

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Sept 18 (Reuters) - U.S. captain Paul Azinger is betting that switching to a foursomes start to the Ryder Cup will give the Americans an early edge over Europe on Friday.

While fourballs have opened the last three Ryder Cups, all won by Europe, Azinger has opted for foursomes or alternate shot to begin the contest at the Valhalla Golf Club.

The U.S. have fared slightly better in the alternate shot format than fourball and will try to establish a lead by the end of the day for the first time since 1993 at the Belfry.

The last time the Ryder Cup began with foursomes was at Brookline in 1999, when the U.S. last claimed the trophy.

"If you're behind every morning for six straight Ryder Cups, or every day the first day for six straight Ryder Cups... then, of course, you're going to make some changes," said Azinger.

"If you're the team that's doing all of the getting ahead, then you're going to stick with what's been working.

"So it's no different than the NFL teams who play each other twice in the season. You lose the first game, the team that wins does everything the same and the team that loses makes the necessary adjustments to try to get it right."

However, Azinger's gamble does not come without risks.