Monty and Harrington
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Europe got off to a stunning start on the opening day of the 35th Ryder Cup matches, winning three and halving one of the fourballs against a subdued USA.
Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington set the tone with four birdies in the first five holes to go two up against Hal Sutton's 'dynamic duo' Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson - on whom so much of the US captain's strategy seemed to depend.
The American favourites never recovered and although Monty didn't quite recapture his early form, it was he who holed the winning putt - a three-footer for par on the 17th hole for a 2&1 victory.
Said Monty: "Psychologically our win was worth two points and it must have meant a lot to the guys behind. It's going to be difficult for us all in the foursomes this afternoon as the course is drying up."
Monty will again partner the Irishman in the third foursomes match - against Davis Love and Fred Funk.
In this evening's other matches Thomas Levet will make his debut to partner Miguel Angel Jimenez against Chris Di Marco and Jay Haas and while Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood combine against Mickelson and Woods.
Though he hasn't played well in practice, Kenny Perry will make his US debut alongside Stewart Cink against a Sergio Garcia/Luke Donald combination.
Earlier the cigar-smoking Irish/Spanish duo of Clarke and Jimenez trounced Love and Chad Campbell 5&4 while Westwood and Garcia tamed David Toms and Jim Furyk 4&3.
In the final fourball, Donald and Paul McGinley shared the points with Cink and Chris Riley, who holed a tricky seven footer on the final green to claim half a point.
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