Europe produced a brilliant afternoon of golf to secure a 5-3 lead over USA after day one of the 2014 Ryder Cup.
The Europeans suffered a disappointing morning, going down 2.5-1.5 in the fourball event, however, a very impressive afternoon of golf from Team Europe saw McGinley’s men claim a 3.5-0.5 foursomes victory to lead the tournament 5-3 overall.
Europe claimed the first point of the competition this morning thanks to Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, who were in impressive form and secured a comfortable 5&4 victory against Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, who were far from their best.
However, that lead did not last long as young American duo Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed defeated Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter to draw the scores level with another 5&4 result.
The third match to be concluded was then halved as some inspired play late in the round from Jimmy Walker rescued the tie for the Americans against Thomas Bjorn and Marten Kaymer.
The morning ended in disappointing fashion for Europe as Phil Mickelson’s final hole birdie secured victory for himself and Keegan Bradley over Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy and gave Tom Watson’s USA team a 2.5-1.5 lead.
However, the European team lifted themselves this afternoon, with rookie Jamie Donaldson and Ryder Cup veteran Lee Westwood winning the first match, against Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar.
That was followed by another European victory as Rose and Stenson secured their second win of the day, beating Mahan and Johnson 2&1.
The third match was the most dramatic of the afternoon as McIlroy and Garcia mounted a stunning late comeback to half their match with Walker and Fowler.
The final match was more convincing as Graeme McDowell and Victor Dubuisson defeated Mickelson and Bradley 3&2 to put Europe 5-3 ahead going into day two.
