Golf: The United States drew first blood in today's opening foursomes matches at the Ryder Cup when Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson beat Britain's Luke Donald and Spaniard Sergio Garcia 4&3, but Europe bounced back and it was all square at 2-2 heading into the afternoon fourballs.
Cup rookie Bradley drained a 30-foot birdie putt at the par-four 15th as the American duo came from one down after eight holes on a cool, breezy day at Medinah Country Club.
It was the first time Donald and Garcia had been beaten in foursomes matches together dating back to the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.
"He played some of the best golf and to be his partner was an awesome experience," Cup veteran Mickelson told reporters about his partner Bradley. "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."
Soon after, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell claimed Europe's first point when they edged Americans Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker one up after a tense, fluctuating battle in the top match.
World number one McIlroy and fellow Northern Irishman McDowell had been three up after 12 holes before the Americans pegged them back with three consecutive birdies from the 14th.
McDowell, who secured the winning point for Europe at Celtic Manor two years ago, wrapped up victory by sinking a four-foot par putt on the 18th green after both teams had troubles reaching the green.
Rookie Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson beat Britain's Lee Westwood and Italy's Francesco Molinari 3&2, while Englishmen Ian Poulter and Justin Rose were struck back with a 2&1 win over Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker.
Mickelson and Bradley made a good start after being sent out in the second match, going one up on Donald and Garcia after four holes before losing momentum. The Europeans won the fifth and sixth holes to gain the lead before Bradley sank a six-footer to birdie the ninth to level the match.
However, the Americans took control after the turn, going three up after Mickelson drained a 15-foot birdie putt at the 13th before Garcia missed a
three-footer for par at the 14th.
Donald missed the green well to the left off the tee at the driveable par-four 15th and Bradley secured the first point for the US with his monster birdie putt.
"I feel so comfortable out here with Phil because I know wherever I hit it, he's going to be able to get it up and down or close for me," said Bradley. "It was one of the most memorable days of my life so far."
The final encounter had been heavily anticipated with Stricker and Woods having compiled a 6-2 record in team play at the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup but they struggled against good friends Rose and Poulter.
The low point for Woods, who was comfortably the poorest performer of the morning, came when he struck a spectator on the head with another erratic drive at the par-five seventh, the bystander having to wipe the blood away with a towel.
Afternoon Fourballs
6.05pm (Irish times): Bubba Watson & Webb Simpson v Paul Lawrie and Peter Hanson
6.20pm (Irish times): Phil MIckelson & Keegan Bradley v Rory McIlroy & Graeme McDowell
6.35pm (Irish times): Dustin Johnson & Matt Kuchar v Justin Rose & Martin Kaymer
6.50pm (Irish times): Tiger Woods & Steve Stricker v Lee Westwood & Nicolas Colsaerts
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