Europe power back in Friday four-balls at the Ryder Cup

Europe’s bid for a fourth straight win looked to be doomed after US romped to a 4-0 whitewash in the morning foursomes.

“With everything going on – me not having a point and Phil being a big part of getting the players a lot more involved to Arnie passing and him being a huge part of the week, this is big for us”, Fowler said. “It’s just fun to cheer for the USA on home soil”. The other question is how much will Darren Clarke use them? Rose upped the ante by placing a $100 bill next to the ball as a prize for a successful putt. McIlroy ended it with a 20-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole, and he mockingly bowed twice to the crowd.

The United States holds a 5-3 lead headed into Saturday.

“Because we didn’t have much at lunchtime”.

The final match of the afternoon was the most dramatic, with Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters defeating Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar. “I honestly actually thought about the celebration before I hit the putt”. They looked invincible in foursomes, whipping Lee Westwood and Thomas Pieters, 5 and 4.

Love could not have scripted a better start – a symbolic one, too.

The Americans got the Ryder Cup off to a red and rousing start Friday with the first sweep of the opening session since 1975.

The Americans still had the lead. It’s sustaining the momentum over three days of nonstop action that has been the problem.

European captain Clarke said: “Wow”. It wasn’t quite that extreme, but the United States of America players went out and won the first six singles matches en route to a comeback win that had players running around and screaming in glee at the 17th hole when the Cup was clinched. Davis Love III kept them together for a third straight match on Saturday morning, when they will face Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello in the final match of the foursomes.

Danny Willett says he’s sorry.

Even with Europe dominating, the pressure still falls to the Americans. Still a little bit to do, but momentum has definitely switched to our side. I felt both of us, for a couple of old guys, we finished really strong today.

It wasn’t just directed at Willett, however.

For all the boisterousness of the crowd the only issue came from a camera at the back of the stand behind the tee which fired off several shots at the top of Martin Kaymer’s backswing in match three.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson had quite the debut in the Ryder Cup two years ago, though his rookie success wasn’t enough to get him invited back.

His chance will come in the afternoon fourballs when, after a few hours’ drinking time, the Yorkshireman may find the Americans have come up with some rather more pointed shouts. Typically, there is the slightest delay. But it wasn’t enough when the USA stormed back in singles the final day to recapture the Cup. “Again, that first match is going to be exciting”.

All the planning by Love and Phil Mickelson – and all the cheerleading from the likes of Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson – seemed to work in the morning in front of some 50,000 fans who cheered themselves hoarse as the American teams swept to easy wins in the alternate shot format. “We had some fun this morning”.