Fowler-Mickelson vs. McIlroy-Pieters is tight

Key statistic: Phil Mickelson and J.B. Holmes are the only USA players at Hazeltine who have played on a winning Ryder Cup team.

European skipper Darren Clarke would have feared a hefty first-day deficit after the morning whitewash, but his team will now go into the second morning with confidence and momentum. “But it’s a long way to go”.

Having maximum points on the board Captain Love felt able to introduce the four players who sat out the morning, while retaining his big beasts at the top and bottom of the order.

That’s the way it has gone for the Americans ever since they began the Ryder Cup with a sweep of the opening session. He teamed with countryman Rafael Cabrera Bello to win his afternoon match and has often served as the emotional engine for the European side, a role he inherited from the late Seve Ballesteros, another of his countrymen.

“We’ve got a great pairing and they put a lot of faith in Jordan and Patrick”, Rose said. “Unfortunately we didn’t and they did”.

“It was a tight match”. Pieters topped Fowler’s long birdie putt on the first hole with one of his own and then boldly shushed the United States crowd, putting a finger to his lips.

“When I saw the draw last night, I was like “yes”, I get to have a go at him again”. “I didn’t want to hold them back anymore”.

But on an afternoon where the Americans could have blown this Ryder Cup wide open, the opposite happened. I really cherish the opportunity to play with him.

It took a lot of heart to come back there. It wasn’t quite the Miracle at Medinah, but they did win three matches and prevent the start of a slaughter.

McIlroy admitted he was disappointed that poor European shots were being cheered by the home fans, especially when foursomes partner Andy Sullivan found the water with his tee shot on the 17th.

“To finally get my first full point is great”, Fowler said.

Walker birdied 13 and 14 and Johnson took 16 to end the match, then downplayed the USA sweep. Both helped put Europe in command early, capturing the first two points and accounting for 3 1/2 of the team’s opening-day total of six points. “I just got caught up in the whole scenario”.

U.S. spectators screaming in support helped.

“I’m not fazed by anything said by the crowd”, McIlroy said.

“The variables were removed, which allowed me to practice and prepare properly”.

Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson then won five holes in succession to beat Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer 4&2, before Europe’s misery was completed as Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan lost on the 18th to Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler. “We started reading putts, started seeing it and we started pouring them in”.

“We just hit a couple of sloppy shots”, Spieth said.

After losing all four morning foursomes matches, Europe rebounded to win three of the four afternoon four balls and suddenly the game was on.

Olympic champion Justin Rose, US PGA FedExCup playoff champion Rory McIlroy and Stenson spark Europe, but a changing of the guard has six Ryder Cup newcomers on the roster, including Masters champion Danny Willett, who has already had to apologize for insults to US fans by his brother Pete.