Swede Henrik Stenson and England's Justin Rose are the lead pair for Paul McGinley's European team, and they will take on established pairing of Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson in the first of the morning fourballs at 7.35am.
The second fourballs match-up on the PGA Centenary Course in Gleneagles sees Martin Kaymer and Thomas Bjorn for Europe versus Rickie Fowler and rookie Jimmy Walker at 7.50am.
Then, in the third match, the Americans have boldly named two rookies - Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed - against the Anglo-Scots pairing of Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher (8.05).
Finally, in that session, a mammoth clash will see world number one Rory McIlroy and Spanish team-mate Sergio Garcia take on Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley (8.20).
In the afternoon, four foursomes matches will take place. Unlike in fourballs, where the player with the lowest score takes the hole for his team, foursomes features just one ball per pair with the players taking alternate shots.
Weather permitting, the fourballs and foursomes format is repeated on Saturday before 12 head-to-head singles matches on Sunday.
Of course, in each of the separate contests, every hole is played in isolation - and, indeed, the matchplay format is one of the most appealing things about the Ryder Cup.
It means tight matches can turn in a matter of minutes, and momentum often seems to be contagious across the course.
The overall winner is the first team to reach the magic mark of 14½ points - while a 14-14 tie will mean Europe, as holders, retain the trophy.
Now, remarkably, the United States have gone fully 21 years without victory in Europe since winning 15-13 at the Belfry in 1993.
Back then, the Americans' captain was Tom Watson - and, for this 40th edition, the USPGA has turned again to the legendary eight-time major winner in the hope he can revive the visitors' fortunes.
After all, with European wins on American soil in 1995, 2004 and 2010, the United States have actually only won twice in the last nine matches.
Indeed, the Europeans' strong recent record in the competitions means it is no surprise McGinley's men start as odds-on favourites - with the Americans teeing off at 13/8.
It is not only recent history which seems to be against the United States, though.
The visitors' build-up to Gleneagles has been far from ideal with personal issues and injury robbing them of the services of Dustin Johnson and Jason Duffner. Meanwhile, former world number one Tiger Woods will be another notable absentee.
It even led last month to Watson bemoaning the fact his players were "dropping like flies".
However, the Europeans - who, in the past, used to love revelling in the underdog role - need to be careful that complacency does not seep into the team.
Arguably, it did two years ago in Medinah where, at one stage, the holders had collectively played pretty poorly and found themselves 10-4 down.
The sporting miracle which followed cannot be relied upon to happen very often - and another American collapse seems far less likely under the likeable Watson.
After all, the 65-year-old simply loves Scotland having won four of his five Open titles there. Amazingly, he almost added another at the age of 59 at Turnberry in 2009.
Ultimately, that was not to be - he lost in a four-hole playoff to Stewart Cink having had a putt for par at the last hole to win the tournament.
But, despite that defeat, Watson remains a charismatic leader who can impart knowledge of great success in the game.
Europe then may be clear favourites - however, McGinley's team could really do with swiftly backing up this status by making the stronger start.
For, it might not be until then that recent history weighs just that bit too heavily on the American dozen.
COVERAGE
Sky Sports 4 (Sky 405)
Friday and Saturday: 7am Fourballs, 1pm Foursomes, 7pm The Verdict/Highlights
Sunday: 10am Singles, 10pm Review
BBC
Full coverage on BBC Radio 5Live. Highlights on BBC2 at 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday, and 7.30pm on Sunday.
THE TEAMS (*= captain's wildcard selection)
Europe (Captain: Paul McGinley (IRE), Vice-captains: Des Smyth (IRE), Sam Torrance (SCO), Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP), Padraig Harrington (IRE), Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP))
| Age | Points (Euro) | Points (World) | Ryder Cup record (W-L-H) | World ranking | Majors | |
| Rory McIlroy (NI) | 25 | 1 | 1 | 4-3-2 | 1 | 4 |
| Henrik Stenson (SWE) | 38 | 2 | 2 | 2-3-2 | 5 | 0 |
| Victor Dubuisson (FRA) | 24 | 3 | 7 | Rookie | 23 | 0 |
| Jamie Donaldson (WAL) | 38 | 4 | 8 | Rookie | 25 | 0 |
| Sergio Garcia (ESP) | 34 | 5 | 3 | 16-8-4 | 3 | 0 |
| Justin Rose (ENG) | 34 | 7 | 4 | 6-3-0 | 6 | 1 |
| Martin Kaymer (GER) | 29 | 8 | 5 | 3-2-1 | 12 | 2 |
| Thomas Bjorn (DEN) | 43 | 6 | 6 | 3-2-1 | 30 | 0 |
| Graeme McDowell (NI) | 35 | 12 | 9 | 5-5-2 | 18 | 1 |
| *Stephen Gallacher (SCO) | 39 | 11 | 10 | Rookie | 34 | 0 |
| *Ian Poulter (ENG) | 38 | 9 | 12 | 12-3-0 | 38 | 0 |
| *Lee Westwood (ENG) | 41 | 19 | 16 | 18-13-6 | 44 | 0 |
United States (Captain: Tom Watson, Vice-captains: Andy North, Raymond Floyd, Steve Stricker)
| Age | Points rank (World) | Ryder Cup record (W-L-H) | World ranking | Majors | |
| Bubba Watson | 36 | 1 | 3-5-0 | 7 | 2 |
| Rickie Fowler | 25 | 2 | 0-1-2 | 10 | 0 |
| Jim Furyk | 44 | 3 | 9-17-4 | 4 | 1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 35 | 4 | Rookie | 19 | 0 |
| Phil Mickelson | 44 | 5 | 14-18-6 | 11 | 5 |
| Matt Kuchar | 36 | 6 | 3-2-2 | 9 | 0 |
| Jordan Spieth | 21 | 7 | Rookie | 13 | 0 |
| Patrick Reed | 24 | 8 | Rookie | 27 | 0 |
| Zach Johnson | 38 | 9 | 6-4-1 | 16 | 1 |
| *Keegan Bradley | 28 | 13 | 3-1-0 | 26 | 1 |
| *Webb Simpson | 29 | 15 | 2-2-0 | 33 | 1 |
| *Hunter Mahan | 32 | 25 | 3-2-3 | 21 | 0 |
COURSE
PGA Centenary Course, Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland (Par 72, 7262 yards)
| Hole | Yards | Par | Hole | Yards | Par | ||
| 1 | 426 | 4 | 10 | 208 | 3 | ||
| 2 | 516 | 5 | 11 | 350 | 4 | ||
| 3 | 431 | 4 | 12 | 445 | 4 | ||
| 4 | 239 | 3 | 13 | 481 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 461 | 4 | 14 | 320 | 4 | ||
| 6 | 201 | 3 | 15 | 463 | 4 | ||
| 7 | 468 | 4 | 16 | 543 | 5 | ||
| 8 | 419 | 4 | 17 | 194 | 3 | ||
| 9 | 564 | 5 | 18 | 533 | 5 | ||
| OUT | 3725 | 36 | IN | 3862 | 36 |
RYDER CUP HISTORY: EUROPE v UNITED STATES
Up until 1977, United States had won all but four of the first 22 matches against Great Britain/Great Britain & Ireland. The exceptional years were 1929 (GB won 7-5), 1933 (GB won 6½-5½), 1957 (GB won 7½-4½), and 1969 (a 16-16 tie - USA retained the Cup).
However, since 1979, Europe has won nine of the 17 matches, and the United States has won seven. Europe has won five of the last six matches, and seven of the last nine since 1995.
Matches 17
Europe 9
United States 7
Ties 1
| Year | Course | Holder | |||
| 1979 | The Greenbrier, VA | Europe | 11-17 | United States | United States |
| 1981 | Walton Heath, Eng | Europe | 9½-18½ | United States | United States |
| 1983 | Palm Beach, FL | Europe | 13½-14½ | United States | United States |
| 1985 | The Belfry, England | Europe | 16½-11½ | United States | Europe |
| 1987 | Muirfield Village, OH | Europe | 15-13 | United States | Europe |
| 1989 | The Belfry, England | Europe | 14-14 | United States | Europe |
| 1991 | Kiawah Island, SC | Europe | 13½-14½ | United States | United States |
| 1993 | The Belfry, England | Europe | 13-15 | United States | United States |
| 1995 | Oak Hill, NY | Europe | 14½-13½ | United States | Europe |
| 1997 | Valderrama, Spain | Europe | 14½-13½ | United States | Europe |
| 1999 | Brookline, MA | Europe | 13½-14½ | United States | United States |
| 2002* | The Belfry, England | Europe | 15½-12½ | United States | Europe |
| 2004 | Oakland Hills, MI | Europe | 18½-9½ | United States | Europe |
| 2006 | K Club, Ireland | Europe | 18½-9½ | United States | Europe |
| 2008 | Valhalla, KY | Europe | 11½-16½ | United States | United States |
| 2010 | Celtic Manor, Wales | Europe | 14½-13½ | United States | Europe |
| 2012 | Medinah, IL | Europe | 14½-13½ | United States | Europe |
*Originally scheduled for 2001 but delayed for a year following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Subsequent tournaments have been played on even-numbered years.
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