The United States owned the morning foursomes in the 41st Ryder Cup and Europe ruled the afternoon four-ball matches.
When the exciting first day was over at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., capped with an eagle by Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, the Americans held only a 5-3 lead despite sweeping the four morning matches.
“We played so well in the morning and we played good in the afternoon, too, but they just made so many birdies,” U.S. Captain Davis Love III said after the Americans saw their first 4-0 lead since 1975 cut in half.
“We’re a little disappointed not to be a little farther ahead, but we competed really well all day, even the guys who got run over in the afternoon.”
Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar led the way for the U.S. in the morning with a 5-and-4 victory over Lee Westwood of England and Thomas Pieters of Belgium, while Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson downed Sergio Garcia of Spain and Martin Kaymer of Germany, 4 and 2.
Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, who played so well in defeat two years ago at Gleneagles in Scotland, continued their success with a 3-and-2 victory over Justin Rose of England, the Olympic champion, and Henrik Stenson of Sweden, while Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler rallied from 2 down with four holes left to beat McIlroy and Andy Sullivan of England, 1 up.
“We showed a lot of heart to come from 2 down with four to go and win the match,” said Mickelson, who has a disappointing 15-18-1 Ryder Cup record. “I felt more pressure in this match than any other Ryder Cup because of the two-year buildup, and I played a little tight.
“But my man (Fowler) played well and got the best out of me, and I hit some good shots late in the match.”
McIlroy closed out the Euro rally in the afternoon by sinking a 17-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole, teaming with Pieters for a 3-and-2 victory over Dustin Johnson and Kuchar.
“It’s a hostile crowd and it’s nice to silence them once in a while,” said McIlroy, who bowed to the gallery after his winning putt. “There’s still some work to do, but I think the momentum is on our side now.”
The other European victories came when Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain beat J.B. Holmes and Ryan Moore, 3 and 2, and Rose and Stenson bounced back to trounce Spieth and Reed, 5 and 4.
The only U.S. point in the afternoon came when Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka downed Kaymer and Danny Willett, the Masters champion from England, 5 and 4.
“That’s the Ryder Cup, that’s why all these people come to watch,” European Captain Darren Clarke said of the afternoon rally. “Our guys were disappointed this morning, but it was tremendous the way we came back.
“As their captain, I’m proud of them.”
All 12 players on the American team played on day one, while Ryder Cup rookies Matthew Fitzpatrick and Chris Wood, both of England, never got off the European bench.
Before the first tee shot, the crowd chanted, “Arnold Palmer, Arnold Palmer,” in honor of the golfing great who died on Sunday night at the age of 87.
