So much for being a two-man team. The Americans had talked endlessly in the build-up about targeting Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, as if taking down those two would lead naturally to the Ryder Cup heading back across the Atlantic. The wisdom of that theory was rather shot to pieces on a fascinating first day, as any number of fearless Europeans stood up to be counted to turn a one-point deficit at lunch into a handy 5-3 advantage. An out-of-sorts McIlroy contributed just a half point and Poulter suffered a rare defeat, so to that end the American plan might be said to have worked.
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The 40th Ryder Cup got underway on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles on Friday with Europe leading 5-3
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Europe took early lead as Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson beat Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 5&4
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USA leveled the match as rookies Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth beat Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter 5&4
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Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker salvaged a halve on the 18th against Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer
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Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley claimed opening session victory on the last against Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia
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Lee Westwood and Jamie Donaldson brought Europe level against Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar in afternoon foursomes
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Rose and Stenson beat Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson to put Europe back in front
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McIlroy and Garcia produced a late fightback to claim a halve against Fowler and Walker and put Europe 4-3 ahead
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Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell win 3&2 against USA's Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley to make it 5-3
It looked as if the occasion was too much for Gallacher, while @placeholder lost for the first time in eight Ryder Cup matches.