CHICAGO, Illinois: The United States and Europe shared the opening foursomes 2-2 in the 39th Ryder Cup at Madinahh Country Club yesterday.
The Americans took the first point through Phil Mickelson, winning a record ninth US cap, and rookie Keegan Bradley, who romped past the previously unbeaten Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald 4 and 3.
Then Ulstermen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell won at the last against Brandt Snedeker and Jim Furyk.
The Irish duo had been three ahead after 11 holes, but were pegged back to level by the Americans at the 16th.
A wild Snedeker drive at the last opened the door for Europe and McDowell sunk a four-footer for the win.
Rookie Jason Dufner produced a tremendous display of putting to ensure that he and Zach Johnson defeated Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari 3 and 2.
But the session finished level when English pair Ian Poulter and Justin Rose defeated an out-of form Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker 2 and 1.
That match finished at the spectacular par-three 17th when Rose chipped Europe’s second shot stone dead.
Huge crowds turned out at the suburban layout, the longest course ever used for the Ryder Cup, as the event came to Chicago for the first time.
The atmosphere was electric as McDowell got proceedings under way shortly after the crack of dawn, but it soon deflated as Europe took an early command, leaving US Ryder Cup skipper Davis Love complaining that it was all too quiet.
Europe were ahead in all four of the foursomes as the lead group stood on the eighth green, but it was Mickelson and Bradley that led the US fightback.
At one stage the advantage was briefly with the Americans, but a share of the spoils to get things going seemed a fair result for the morning’s play.
It was the first time that had happened in the opening session of the Ryder Cup since 1997 at Valderrama in Spain.
McDowell, who grabbed the winning point for Europe at Celtic Manor two years ago, said that it had been a great tussle against Furyk and Snedeker, who had been a surprise selection by Love.
“That match to me just personifies The Ryder Cup,” he said.
“Myself and Rory played some great golf to go three up, and then you’re playing against two very gutsy players who clawed their way back to all square coming down the last two holes.
“I’m not sure if you’ll play two tougher holes, I mean, the finish to this golf course is very strong and we had stacked our team with this finish in mind.
“I wanted Rory hitting the tee shots on 16 and 18 and our strategy paid off.” US hero Bradley, who won the US PGA Championship in his first major last year, was given fullsome praise by the veteran Mickelson.
“He played some of the best golf and to be his partner was an awesome experience,” he said.
“I love, love playing with this man. He’s just so fun, loves the game and plays with such excitement and man, can he roll the rock.” Surprisingly an out-of sorts Woods was sent back out for the afternoon fourballs again alongside Stricker.
The pick of the matchups saw Mickelson and Bradley teamed up against McIlroy and McDowell.
USA, Europe level after foursomes
