Ryder Cup: Tom Watson confident in Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed

The two were named as a pairing by Watson during Friday's opening ceremony at Gleneagles and will take on Ryder Cup specialist Ian Poulter and home favourite Stephen Gallacher.

Poulter is the only non-rookie in the match-up but Watson has full faith in Spieth and Reed, 21 and 24 respectively, despite admitting there is a certain element of the two being thrown in at the deep end.

Watson feels the opportunity for the duo, who have practiced together regularly this week, to gain experience early in the weekend will be invaluable.

"I'm sure [European captain] Paul [McGinley] has the same idea as I do as far as playing somebody that has not played in The Ryder Cup before, you would like to get them to play all 18 holes, play their own ball and get them out that way," he explained.

"That's the reason I put the two rookies out together, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. They have been playing some practice rounds together and doing very well.

"I told them today, I said, 'I'm going to throw you in the ocean without a life preserver. You're on your own. You get out there and you get it done'. They are all in.

"You look at these matches right here, and you can see some scenarios that would really be something very special for just the opening matches.

"Right now, I'm looking at it, and I'm just glad the process for this part of the process is finished, and we're going to be getting on with it tomorrow morning.

"It's been a pleasure. It's been a pleasure for two years doing this, and it's culminated in getting to this point. Now see what happens in the next 72 hours."

The pairing was among the more surprising contests revealed on Friday, with Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson facing Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson first off.

Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker then face Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer before Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson take on Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy.

Watson has no doubts that all eyes will be on that final match-up, with Mickelson having spiced things up with comments surrounding the legal wrangles involving McIlroy and team-mate Graeme McDowell.

"The last contest, that's the striking contest. That's the one that kind of the main event in the first round, you'd have to say," he added.

"You all know that. I mean, it's not rocket science here. You all know that. That's what we're going to be looking at tomorrow."