Rory McIlroy will go head-to-head with Justin Thomas in a blockbuster opening singles match at the 2018 Ryder Cup, while Tiger Woods will face Jon Rahm on Sunday.

The line-up for the final-day singles was announced on Saturday evening after Europe had opened up a 10-6 lead over the United States, leaving Thomas Bjorn's men needing just four and a half points to regain the trophy they lost at Hazeltine two years ago.

McIlroy and Thomas make up a tantalising first contest, with matches two and three seeing Paul Casey face Brooks Koepka and Justin Rose take on Webb Simpson.

Next comes the battle between Rahm and Woods, two players without a win this week. Woods' singles record in Ryder Cups is far superior to his dismal statistics in team play.

Europe's two star players at Le Golf National, Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari, will come up against Tony Finau and Phil Mickelson respectively, with Jordan Spieth drawn against Thorbjorn Olesen.

The other Sunday matches will see Ian Poulter meet Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia face Rickie Fowler, Tyrrell Hatton take on Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson battle Bubba Watson, while Alex Noren clashes with Bryson DeChambeau in the final contest.

"There's a lot of reasons to send Rory out first," said European captain Bjorn, who was midway through his end-of-day news conference when the draw was announced.

"He's a fantastic player. He likes to play fast. He doesn't like to be held up. He likes responsibility. He feels like he's in a place where he can go into that position and get the best out of himself.

"I don't have a crystal ball, and I can't predict what's going to happen tomorrow [Sunday]. I have a strong belief in these 12, and I've had it all week. I've had it since we got together on Monday, and that's the only thing I can focus on."

US skipper Jim Furyk added: "We want to get out to a fast start tomorrow. That's key. It's imperative. Everyone knows it. Any time a team's come back, now twice in this event, from four points [behind], it's been a fast start and a solid middle to late part of the line-up."

 

Sunday singles line-up:

Rory McIlroy v Justin Thomas

Paul Casey v Brooks Koepka

Justin Rose v Webb Simpson

Jon Rahm v Tiger Woods

Tommy Fleetwood v Tony Finau

Ian Poulter v Dustin Johnson

Thorbjorn Olesen v Jordan Spieth

Sergio Garcia v Rickie Fowler

Francesco Molinari v Phil Mickelson

Tyrrell Hatton v Patrick Reed

Henrik Stenson v Bubba Watson

Alex Noren v Bryson DeChambeau