Team Europe lead 5-3 after first day of play in Ryder Cup
Although Team USA were ahead after the morning session, their rivals roared back into contention
Europe dominated the afternoon foursomes to grab a 5-3 lead after the first day of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, but the American rookies debuted with flying colours.
Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, the youngest Ryder Cup pairing, came through with a crushing win in Friday’s opening session against Europe.
Adding significance to their lopsided 5 & 4 victory in the morning fourballs was that it came against European mainstay Ian Poulter and his partner Stephen Gallacher, the Scottish debutant and home crowd favourite.
We got a pairing we liked. No battle scars
The youngest partnership was boldly scripted by the oldest Ryder Cup captain, Tom Watson.
“When Tom told us we were going out together, we were excited,” the 24-year-old Reed said.
“I’ve played a lot of golf with Jordan, not only professionally but amateur and junior career. I was very comfortable playing with him.”
The 21-year-old Spieth enjoyed being the new kids playing in the competition won by Europe seven of the last nine times.
“We got a pairing we liked. No battle scars,” he said.