Ryder Cup: Team Europe in early lead over USA

Team Europe produced a historic fightback to sweep the afternoon foursomes and claim a 5-3 lead over the USA in the opening day of the 42nd Ryder Cup.

It was Europe’s first clean sweep of one session since 1989, and their first foursomes whitewash in the history of the contest, and represented a momentous recovery from a morning session blighted by mistakes and missed opportunities.

Thomas Bjorn’s side were given momentum to take into the afternoon foursomes after Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari prevented an American clean sweep of the opening session for the second Ryder Cup in a row with victory over Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods, who both sat out the afternoon.

Justin Rose, reunited with Henrik Stenson having suffered an agonising final-hole defeat with Jon Rahm in the opening match of the competition, led from the front and cruised to a 3&2 win over Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

Sergio Garcia moved a step closer to becoming the leading points scorer for Europe as he partnered Alex Noren to a thumping 5&4 win over Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau having won a remarkable seven of the first nine holes.

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Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter evoked memories of their famous Saturday afternoon win at Medinah in 2012, albeit in a different format, as they fought back from being two down after three holes against Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson to romp to a 4&2 win.