Yesterday at the Ryder Cup

What happened

Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington saw off the United States' stellar pairing of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the opening four-ball and their feat was matched later by Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood in the foursomes. That was only the start of the American malaise. Sergio García also won two points for Europe and Luke Donald had an encouraging day on his debut scoring 1 points. The US salvaged half a point in the morning through Chris Riley and Stewart Cin ; later Chris DiMarco and Jay Haas won their only point of the day.

Shot of the day

Montgomerie's rare gem of a pitch from the back of the 8th in the foursomes. The ball was lying badly and the Scot dared not land it on the green because of the slope. He aimed about 18 feet right of the pin, hit a lowish wedge which bounced a couple of times in the rough, then curved exquisitely to the hole, just failing to fall in. Seve-like.

Player of the day

There were so many Europeans, it is invidious to choose one. Montgomerie was his usual immense self, from the moment he sank a 12-footer for a birdie three at the 1st to go one up on the US dream team. That set the tone. Partner Harrington was also a hero as the pair won twice. And Darren Clarke. And Lee Westwood. And Sergio García. And the rest. Day one to Europe.

Best quote

Tiger Woods (after his defeat to Montgomerie and Harrington in the morning four-balls) "We played well. We just didn't make enough birdies. Geez, they made eight birdies in 14 holes and birdied six out of the first eight holes. That is awfully impressive. But we were right there. I thought if we could get it to even somehow, that might turn the momentum. We never got it to even."

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