European captain Jose Maria Olazabal has sent his 12-man squad out to practise in foursomes at the Medinah Country Club this afternoon.

However, the quartets will only negotiate the first nine holes of the course, rather than completing all 18.

Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald will be joined by Irish duo Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in the opening group.

Meanwhile, the expected pairing of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose will play alongside Peter Hanson and Germany's Martin Kaymer.

The final group consists of Lee Westwood, Francesco Molinari, Nicolas Colsaerts and Paul Lawrie.

You can read Sports Mole's profiles of the European squad here.