Nick Faldo may have made a meal of it but his "sandwich list" became his real list on Thursday - and it will be Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson who kick off Europe's bid for an unprecedented fourth successive Ryder Cup victory at Valhalla.
Not, though, against Kentucky pair Kenny Perry and JB Holmes, but against Phil Mickelson and cup newcomer Anthony Kim.
Perry and Holmes are not a partnership at all - not for the opening foursomes at Valhalla at least.
The big-hitting but erratic Holmes sits out the session, while Perry takes over from the injured Tiger Woods as Jim Furyk's partner.
They will play the 'fearsome twosome' of Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood in the bottom match, American captain Paul Azinger being confident Furyk will be a part of the action after taking time out on Friday to visit his wife Tabitha in hospital after she experienced neck pains.
Many thought Faldo would start with Garcia and Westwood, but he said: "It's pretty tough to push a three-time major champion out of his seat."
Harrington, of course, is the reigning Open and US PGA champion, while Karlsson won in Germany last Sunday.
Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey are in the second game against Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan, while Justin Rose does not have to wait for his debut.
Rose partners controversial wildcard selection Ian Poulter, his close friend, against Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell.
The first match starts at 8.05am (1305 BST), with the others following at 15-minute intervals. Afternoon fourballs begin at 12.45pm (1745 BST), with Faldo and Azinger handing in their pairings 45 minutes beforehand.
Resting during the morning for Europe are Miguel Angel Jimenez and rookies Graeme McDowell, Oliver Wilson and Soren Hansen. For the United States it is Ben Curtis, Holmes, Steve Stricker and Boo Weekley.
America have not won the opening session since Kiawah Island in 1991 and the last time they even shared it was 11 years ago at Valderrama.
In the last three matches fourballs have come first. Azinger, as the home captain, has changed that in the hope of improving matters.
Garcia and Westwood, though, bring with them two formidable records - both together and separately.
As a partnership in 2002 and 2004 they have played six, won four, halved one and have lost only to Woods and Davis Love in fourballs.
Garcia has a perfect eight victories from his eight foursomes, while, equally incredibly, Westwood has won his last 10 games - only two short of Arnold Palmer's record unbeaten run in the event.
America, of course, have got nobody to match that - and would not have done even if Woods had been available.
Last time they were home it was Woods and Mickelson who led the way, only to lose first to Harrington and Colin Montgomerie and then to Westwood and Darren Clarke.
Kim is the rising star of their game, twice a winner this year and Azinger said: "Mickelson called me personally and said he'd love to play with him - but so did about six other guys.
"I granted his wish for this first go-around."
Harrington is out to make up for faring as badly as Mickelson did last time - only one half-point from five games at the K Club.
He and Karlsson have still to decide who hits the first shot.
"We have got to do a little bit of thinking on that," said the Dubliner.
"Think about it and see what we are comfortable with. The course seems to set up where it is not obvious to go one way or the other.
"Robert has been playing great all year and he is certainly somebody I looked to play with and he looked to play with me.
"While you can't make too much of a deal out of the first session, momentum is always nice to have on your side."
Rose commented: "Ian and I have a great camaraderie and will find a way to get it done. Our World Cup experience will be a factor and we always felt that we were stronger in foursomes than fourball.
"It is great to see it on paper. We can get the juices flowing and psyche ourselves up. I've been waiting a long time for this."
Faldo said he told the pair the news on Wednesday and "their eyes came alive".
Poulter, preferred to Clarke despite only one top 10 since January (his second place at The Open), added: "I can't wait. It is going to be awesome.
"I have to say I am buzzing. I missed out the last time (2004) on the Friday morning and I really want to be a big factor in this side.
"This has totally made up for the last three or four weeks, which have been tough for me. But I am big enough and ugly enough to keep all of that at bay."
The day could not pass, though, without a reference back to Faldo's piece of paper with pairings on, caught on camera as Europe practised on Wednesday.
Faldo tried at first to say it was just a sandwich list and when he was asked if he had ear-marked certain players to play all five matches.
"I have to put it on my sandwich list. If you see five cheeses next to it then he could be in, four tunas means four matches and chicken is three matches, lettuce is two.
"Lettuce begin!"
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FALDO LAUGHS OFF PAIRINGS GAFFE
