Ryder Cup 2016: USA 5-3 Europe - Day one foursomes and fourballs as it happened

Rory McIlroy punches the air in celebration and you can see how much that means to him and the European team. A quite stunning finish to a day which has twisted and turned throughout and ends with Darren Clarke's team possessing all the momentum. Davis Love III's side lead, but after a whitewash in the morning they have been pegged back. Read our report recapping all the crucial details from the day. We're back tomorrow will live coverage of the second foursomes and fourballs sessions, but until then goodnight.

It's a five for Pieters, who shaves the front of the hole. The stage is set for McIlroy now. Downhill, slippery putt this but he makes no mistake. A stunning, stunning putt and Europe pull 3-5 behind. What a moment.

Matt Kuchar has to make this to give America any chance of winning this match, or hit it close to ensure they can at least get a halve. It's a pretty good effort in the end, an inch or two short, but McIlroy can win the match if he makes eagle here.

Pieters had to lay up having gone right off the tee, but he's on the green in three and around 15 feet away from the pin. He's done all he can.

Now McIlroy. Huge shot this from the middle of the fairway and he produces his very, very best. Within 15 feet and significantly closer than Kuchar. Dustin Johnson finds the water however, and Europe take a step closer to this third point.

Kuchar on the green in two for the US. Eagle chance for him. Pieters is further along but has to chip out sideways as he sits behind a tree. Needs to be in a place to make birdie, at the very least.

Just one match out on the course now, and we've reached the 16th. Pieters is into the rough but McIlroy finds the fairway down the right.

Over on 16, Europe close in on their second point. Ryan Moore has a putt to halve the hole, miss and the Spaniards win the match. The Tour Championship runner-up doesn't hit it, and Garcia and Cabrera Bello celebrate.

McIlroy can't make the putt from around 12 feet which had a big swing from left to right. Johnson's putt is a gimmie so Pieters must make this one. The Dane has one up hill, around eight feet and he misses to the right.

Kuchar misses from the same side and range as Pieters, leaving Johnson to finish the job. In through the left side of the hole, and suddenly the USA are within two, with three to play. Surely not?

The American fans have been given a second wind by their late revival with the noise having swelled significantly. Dustin Johnson goes within five feet at the 15th to pile the pressure on McIlroy and Pieters, who lead by three.

USA staging a late comeback in both of the two matches still out on the course. McIlroy and Pieters' lead reduced to three via a bogey. Cabrera Bello and Garcia meanwhile lead by two with three to play. These matches are far from over yet.

Cabrera Bello and Garcia making life hard for themselves in the second match, and Ryan Moore makes a birdie to take them to within two, with three to play. Can the US complete the comeback?

There is a shaking of hands on the 14th, where Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka have won 5&4 over Kaymer and Willett. USA 5-1 Europe.

Pieters obliges with a fine putt. McIlroy in the water but the Dane didn't need him, as Europe go four up with four to play in the bottom match. They're back to 4UP.

McIlroy is in the water at the 13th but Kuchar can't take advantage as his putt goes a good 10-feet past. Johnson must produce something here and though it's a good try, he goes six feet by. Pieters is inside the PGA Tour player of the year and would have had a good read of his putt.

A lifeline for USA? Ryan Moore didn't play this morning because he felt he was tired from his FedEx Cup heroics last week, but he comes to the party now with a birdie to close the gap on Garcia and Cabrera Bello to three.

Snedeker and Koepka go dormie five against Kaymer and Willett, who have been mere spectators during this round. That is at least a half for the Americans.

Henrik Stenson mentioning he felt Spieth and Reed got tired towards the end of their round, and that has been the feeling about this American display this afternoon; almost as if they ran themselves off their feet in the morning and had nothing left.

A point on the board for Team Europe at last, as Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose put Spieth and Reed to bed on the 14th. Rose does the business and it confirms a 5&4 victory.

Make that 4UP for Europe in the top match. After trailing by one through three holes, this has been a terrific comeback which has upset Spieth and Reed - the darlings of the morning session.

Jordan Spieth is up to the challenge and is within an inch of a hole in one. He and Stenson will putt for what is likely to be a shared birdie.

Rose benefits from a kind bounce off the edge of a bunker and he is within eight feet on the 13th. Europe starting to really kick on. Stenson betters it however, and Spieth and Reed are on the brink here.

The pace this top match, Spieth/Reed vs Stenson/Rose, is frankly embarrassing and the rest of the event are being held by their slow play. The officials really need to step in here, given this is the second time this has occurred today.

Back to the actual golf, and after Stenson cosies up the hold, Reed can' respond and Europe are now 3UP with six to play.

Dustin Johnson nips that McIlroy effort in the bud with a fine birdie, and the Northern Irishman has two feet for a half. Four up with eight to play.

Rory McIlroy puts it on a postage stamp at the 10th and that could be to extend the lead. Garcia keeps the lead at four for himself and Cabrera Bello meanwhile with a third halve in a row.

The Hazeltine crowd starting to get a little rowdy as we enter the twilight of the day. European and American players are the victims of their taunts which are deeply unnecessary.

Reed and Spieth have gone way right off the tee at 12. Not sure where Europe are at this stage. Rumours abound that this group is on the clock again, with a warning inevitably imminent. The groups behind them are beginning to bunch up.

Brooks Koepka has been sublime today but a chance to go back to 4UP goes by., but Snedeker needs no second invitation and he makes birdie to reestablish that lead. Martin Kaymer finally on the board too with a four, but it is in vein.

Spieth makes his four and when Stenson pushes his par putt past, Rose is faced with four feet for the halve. The Olympic champion converts with aplomb to snuff out another opportunity.

Worth mentioning that this group are holding up the match behind them, who have had to wait for them to hole out before starting. The officials may have another word following this morning's warning.

Back to the first group and Reed finds the green with his third, but he's well out of contention in terms of setting a score. Time for Spieth to lay down a marker in the match which could still go either way. The two-time major champions chips delightfully to within seven feet and American have a chance to pulling one back.

Can Rose respond? He's on the top of a ridge but the left h-hand side bunker. His reply is pretty decent too, and that looks like a halve.

Sergio Garcia matches Ryan Moore with a birdie at the 10th. Same line and same result. Four up with eight to play in that second match.

Danny Willett with a superb birdie on the 9th and the rookie cuts the lead of Snedeker and Koepka to three. Is the comeback on? Kaymer continues to be a spectator.

Henrik Stenson is fuming with his second shot on 11, throwing his club into the air as he finds the front bunker having found the middle of the fairway. Rose however is well played just off the green in two, with Spieth not far behind. Reed is in the crowd I'm afraid.

Garcia is playing a blinder with Cabrera Bello this afternoon - surely these two will be retained throughout tomorrow now - and he finds the green and is within 10 feet of the hole at the 10th. The Spanish pair could well be securing Europe's first point later today.

Matt Kuchar misses the opportunity to reduce the lead of McIlroy and Pieters. I'm tempted to say those putts were dropping this morning. US not having it all their own way today.

Rose and then Stenson miss chances to put Europe 3UP in the top match. In fact, such is the distance they miss by Spieth and Reed want to see their par putts. Big chance missed at the start of the back nine.

Tweet of the day. Danny Willett has been playing with a manikin this afternoon.

Three matches are now 4UP after Koepka made his third birdie to all-but sink Kaymer and Willett, while Garcia has holed a beautiful chip off the green to put himself and Cabrera Bello 4UP through nine.

Johnson and Kuchar both miss birdie chances at the 7th, giving Pieters a chance to put Europe 4UP. The Dane continues to impress and he almost puts him and McIlroy out of sight.

Jordan Spieth has come close on so many occasions during the past few holes, but he misses out there as he comes up short, as group one reach the turn. Koepka and Snedeker can't extend their lead meanwhile, as Willett holes from seven feet for a par. Word on Martin Kaymer, who hasn't had a best ball all afternoon.

Another putt misses from Ryan Moore and Europe remain 3UP in match two. How they could do with getting some points on the board, which would really silence this Hazeltine crowd - which has sobered since the heroics of the morning.

McIlroy has been hot with the putter today he has a downhiller to put Europe 3UP. You would never doubt him and now the visitors have a heavy advantage in each of the three matches in which they lead. Darren Clarke will be delighted with this show of character.

Danny Willett finds water from the tee at the treacherous 7th. A hazard either side of this hole, with Hazeltine lake to the right. Tough for the Masters champion from there.

Putts may not be dropping for USA but they are for Brandt Snedeker who puts him and rookie Koepka 3UP through six. Europe still up in three and they have a cushion in each match.

Spieth does exactly the same so neither can match Stenson. Europe 2UP through eight holes. Outstanding work from the usually dependable Stenson and Rose.

Stenson's putt is naturally conceded, meaning Reed or Spieth need to make a two to prevent going two down. Reed will go first with a putt up the hill and he stands it up to the edge of the hole. So close.

Stenson within inches of a hole in one on the par three eighth. Magic tee shot from the Swede. All the momentum with Europe right now and surely the top match is about to go 2UP.

Rory McIlroy puts Europe two up on Johnson and Kuchar. This is a fine comeback from the holders. Cabrera Bello and Garcia are three up, but that lead is set to be reduced after both found water at the 7th.

Spieth catches three-quarters of the hole but sees it run away. Stenson has the chance to make a birdie and put Europe one up. Noise around the Swede as the crowd react to the tee shots being struck around him, but he makes no mistake and Europe are now up in three matches.

Cabrera Bello piles the pressure on Holees and Moore with a birdie, his second of the round. The Americans can't respond however and the Spaniards are three up.

Reed and Spieth on the green for the US at the 7th. Rose with a complete miss-hit and he's in the reeds through the back. Time for Stenson to produce, and he does with a sandwich to within four feet. Fabulous short-play from The Open champion.

Brandt Snedeker has been the player of the round so far and he halves the 5th to keep the US two-up, currently the only match in which they are ahead.

The signature seventh hole sees some mammoth drives off the tee. Henrik Stenson wins on length, but Jordan Spieth isn't far behind. All four players miss the trees down the right.

Say it quietly, but Europe are starting to build something. Putts are dropping at last and the latest comes from Pieters, who puts him and McIlroy one up on Johnson and Kuchar - who have not really got going in this bottom match.

Henrik Stenson makes a fine birdie partially off the green and he gets a low five from Justin Rose. Can Europe turn the tables on the prodigal duo Spieth and Reed? The latter responds by finding the cup.

We're entering the fulcrum of the evening back in the UK, and for those who are so inclined here is the ideal game to pass the time by while the fourball matches are taking place.

Reed with a genuine club player shank at the 6th. Spieth makes no mistake though and dovetails beautifully to find the green.

Not a bad morning for Andy Sullivan, but a watching brief this afternoon.

Spanish pair Garcia and Cabrera Bello go two up in match two as Moore fails to get up and down in two. Decent start for Europe.

Sergio Garcia played superbly in the morning session and he has taken that form into the fourballs with a wonderful approach at the 5th, which finds the green and spins back to within four feet of the hole.

Meanwhile, the Brandt Snedeker train continues to roll on and he finds another birdie at the 4th.

Colin Montgomerie, a five time Ryder Cup winner as a player and once as a captain, says Europe need to go no worse that 2-2 in this fourballs session. They're currently on course for that but they're yet to silence this deafening American crowd.

Another lean few minutes for Europe. Koepka makes a birdie in match three as Kaymer misses his putt for a half. And in the top match Jordan Spieth makes birdie, matching Rose's three after he went within five feet.

Rory McIlroy's putter is doing somersaults as he misses a birdie putt on the 2nd. Dustin Johnson can square the match fro 12 feet and he makes no mistake. The best player in the world right now has been outstanding today.

Rose and Stenson on the brink of drawing level with Spieth and Reed. The latter misses his par putt, meaning Spieth must hole from 10 feet to retain the lead. The twice major winner takes his time, as he tends to do, but he lips out and Europe are all square.

Willett can't find a second straight birdie and that allows Snedeker to take advantage. One the first meanwhile, Pieters lips out somehow not putting Europe one up. Kuchar has a tough one for a half however.

Henrik Stenson hits the best tee shot of the lot finding the middle of the green but he had a putt for a birdie to square the match.

A mistake at last from the birdie machine Patrick Reed, who finds the sand off the 4th tee. Spieth sends his ball to the opposite side of the green. Neither American player in good shape there.

Snedeker puts it stone dead on the second, and Willett all-but matches him with his approach. Two birdie putts coming up there.

Ryan Moore sees a chance to level the second match go by. In the top match meanwhile, Patrick Reed reels off his third birdie in succession. Rose has a three-footer for a halve.

Worth mentioning that such was the harrowing nature of the morning session that Darren Clarke has been forced to hold back Matthew Fitzpatrick and Chris Wood, who will have to wait until Saturday to make their Ryder Cup debuts. Davis Love III meanwhile has got all 12 of his team out on the opening day.

Thomas Pieters thrashes the ball off the tee as the fourth and final fourballs match gets underway. Dustin Johnson tries to follow him, but he finds the trees down the left. Not the place to be.

USA captain Davis Love III speaking on the Golf Channel: "They have come together over the last couple of weeks. It has been an emotional trip for this team, with the way the picks went down, and with Arnold's passing was a shock for both teams this week. Just little things that have made this team bond together really well, from top to bottom. It's a good start, but there is a long way to go and a lot more points out there. Everybody just needs to keep doing the same thing over and over."

Welcome to the Ryder Cup Danny Willett. With Koepka having made birdie, Willett holes from 20 feet to ensure the hole is halved. Come the end of today, how crucial could that be?

Snedeker and Kaymer both within around 12 feet at the first. Good approach from Danny Willett too. But they can't match Koepka, who has a gimmie for a birdie.

Cabrera Bello puts Europe 1UP in match two, despite Garcia missing his putt. Back to the first group, where Reed's birdie has been followed up by one for Stenson to ensure the United States only stay one ahead.

Danny Willett on the first tee and a fair few boos for him as he looks to take his first shot in Ryder Cup competition. Fine drive and that will give the Masters champion a major boost.

Some much-improved iron play from Europe early on here and Cabrera Bello goes within six feet at the first, following a perfect tee shot. Sergio Garcia matches his playing partner and he will have a birdie putt too.

Stunning from Henrik Stenson! Spieth and Reed are both within ten, and though Rose is some way back the Swede matches the Americans and might even be the closest of the three. Fine effort.

The second match is now underway - there is no let up on these opening two days - and it is advantage Europe after Holmes and Moore, both of whom are playing their first match this week, go way left with their tee shots. They face Sergio Garcia and fellow-Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello.

Here comes Reed's birdie putt, after Rose, Stenson and Spieth all fall short on the first. He draws the putter head back, and finds the centre of the cup. The USA pick up from where they left off and they are 1UP in the top match.

Ominous start for Patrick Reed, who is within six feet on the first with his second shot. Stenson and Spieth come up short meanwhile. Justin Rose goes fourth and he almost matches Reed, but is in the second cut of rough.

So the top group are away and the second session of the 2016 Ryder Cup is underway. Europe surely need to at least draw this session to have any chance to retaining the trophy come Sunday afternoon. Huge passage of play in Hazeltine, with the American fans still dining out on the morning dominance.

And we're back at Hazeltine. Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth, who must be entering the record books as a partnership, head onto the first tee for the first fourballs match. They face off against Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, for whom things can only get better.

News of the fourball pairings for the afternoon session. Same again at the top.

Ok, so we're around 40 minutes away from the fourballs starting so until then we're going to take a little break on this live blog but we'll be back for news of every shot from around 12:30pm local time, or 6:30pm UK time.

United States complete a session whitewash, the first in the opening session at a Ryder Cup since 1975. It has been a sensation displays from USA, but an equally wretched one from Europe. Darren Clarke will have rested plenty on these first four sessions, but he's been let down by his team. Advantage with the Americans.

Martin Kaymer with a putt to save the third match, but he misses to the right. This third match was in Europe's pocket but they're lost four holes in a row. Zach Johnson makes it five on the bounce to put USA 3-0 ahead.

McIlroy can't respond for Europe as his shot from the drop zone spins back too far, and the USA have an eight-footer to go one up with one to play.

Sullivan has done some good things on debut but he's found the water on 17. Fowler is on the green off the tee. USA could have at least a half here.

A shank for Martin Kaymer and in the space of four holes Europe have gone from 1UP to three-down. It's been a horror show.

Andy Sullivan somehow doesn't make birdie on the 16th and it gives Fowler the chance to draw the match all square with two holes remaining. And he makes it! Europe is disarray.

But Kuchar responds with a birdie of his own and USA go two up on Europe. Matches two and three the only ones still out on the course.

Pieters produces a birdie from absolutely nowhere for Europe in the bottom match. Hope for Europe remains, even if the Americans are dormie five.

Phil Mickelson pulls a rabbit out of the hat and goes within six feet at the 16th. USA on the brink of going 2-0 up and now McIlroy must respond in the one match Europe are actually ahead in.

Europe have not led after the first session at the Ryder Cup for a decade and they face that same fate on this occasion, with at least three matches going against them.

Reed has a putt to win the top match, after Justin Rose - who has not holed a thing today - goes past. He makes no mistake, to put the USA into the lead at Hazeltine.

More American momentum. Johnson and Kuchar have gone dormie five in the bottom match. And now Kaymer has missed a putt to put the home side 2UP in match three - contest that Europe led for so long.

Mickelson makes the putt and United States are within one. If they could turn this match around they would be on for the clean sweep - which is only what they deserve.

McIlroy misses the European putt coming back the other way, and Mickelson has one to reduce the arrears to one.

The only blue on the leaderboard is coming via McIlroy and Sullivan in match two - but that two-hole lead might be reduced here. Rickie Fowler has a putt to win the hole from 20 feet, but he shaves the hole and goes four feet by.

The tide has turned back towards the United States. Zach Johnson holes twice to win successive holes in match three, to going into the lead for the first time. In match one meanwhile, Spieth holes from three feet to ensure him and Reed lead two two with three holes to play.

Europe have led since the second hole in the third match, but no longer as Zach Johnson holes after Kaymer sent a par putt just by. The middle two matches are what stand the USA between a good session, and a fabulous one.

Rory McIlroy celebrates putting Europe 1UP in match two.

Something finally drops for Thomas Pieters, who converts a birdie chance. Kuchar will putt for a half and he makes no mistake. The American pair remain four up and are coasting to a point.

Stenson lips out for what feels like the umpteenth time in this morning session, and crucially goes four feet past. Spieth misses the birdie chance by a distance to stay two ahead.

Now McIlroy with a chance to put Europe 1UP in the second match. Down the hill, a bit of a left to right.....and the Northern Irishman nails it. Big moment for the visitors who are now up in two and down in two.

Sullivan in tremendous touch going down the back nine. After holding par on the 12th, he goes within eight feet on 13. Rickie Fowler tries to respond, but he goes a good 30 feet by. Advantage Europe in what is increasingly looking like a key match.

Sergio Garcia's putter has been superb this morning but misses the chance to strengthen the European lead with a missed birdie chance on the 11th.

For those wondering, Pete Willett's article earlier this week has not deterred the American support so far with plenty of whooping accompanying every US success, and cheers with every European mistake.

News of the first group out on the course, who are going down 13 as we speak. Justin Rose has been given a time warning for slow play. Three warnings and Europe will lose the hole they are playing. Incidentally, a hole has never been lost to slow play in Ryder Cup history.

For those that might not have picked up the slight of hand, the reigns have swapped on our Ryder Cup live blog. Nick Howson will take you through until the close in Minnesota. I've been out on the course both this morning and most of this week and today it is very damp, hence why you're seeing plenty of putts come up short and balls not spinning quiet like players would like. Should it dry up for the fourballs it will be a completely different course.

Andy Sullivan marks his Ryder Cup debut with a fine birdie to go all-square in the second match with Mickelson and Fowler. A six from the USA did them no favours.

Thomas Pieters and Lee Westwood have been thrown together at the 11th hour in Minnesota and they have played like it. It's been a horror show throughout the front nine. But they do get a shot back to reduce the arrears to four.

Match 4 - eighth hole - USA 5-0 Europe

Westwood and debutant Pietersen are in big trouble here; they are now five holes behind with Dustin Johnson rolling another nerveless put in.

Match 4 - seventh hole - USA 4-0 Europe

Westwood and Pieters are sinking here. Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar move ahead with the Belgian missing his bogey putt.

Match 2 - ninth hole

Superb shot from Fowler! He and Mickelson have now won the last three games, the latest coming via superb chip in from the green that trickled all the way into the hole. McIlroy and Sullivan collapsing here.

Nick Howson at Hazeltine

Phil Mickelson with a superb recovering at the 5th to reduce the bleeding for USA, but it has been an otherwise really decent start for the hosts. Word on Thomas Pieters, who was thrust into this session in the absence of Danny Willett, who has started very nervously.

Match 1 - ninth hole - USA 3-1 Europe

Finally, something from from Stenson and Rose. They've finally won a hole for par and eat into USA's lead.

Match 2 - eighth hole

Oh dear. A wayward drive from Sullivan leaves McIlroy with a tough shot he can't pull off. Mickelson birdies and all of a sudden, Europe's lead in Match 2 has been wiped out.

Match 2 - seventh hole

McIlroy's error is punished and Fowler, who was brilliantly set up by Mickelson, strokes home to reduce Europe's lead.

Match 4 - fifth hole - USA lead 3-0

Brilliant from Dustin Johnson, who ushers one into the hole from 15 foot out. Westwood has to sink a 25-footer and when he comes up short, USA extend their lead here to three.

Match 2 - hole seven

McIlroy could be in trouble here. He attempts to drive a second shot underneath a hanging tree but can't get it low enough and watches it deflect towards the hazard. Reeed meanwhile drives his shot perfectly down the fairway.

Match 1 - seven hole - USA lead 3-0

Stenson and Rose are in trouble. Spieth sets up his partner with a wonderful shot that drops eight yards from the hole and Reed tidies up nicely.

Match 3 - fifth hole

Martin Kaymer comes agonisingly close to taking a two hole lead but watches as his putt stops inches away.

Match 1 - sixth hole

A horrendous tee shot from Mickelson sails straight out of bounds. McIlroy meanwhile finds the fairway rather comfortably and gives Europe a great chance to extend their lead here.

Match 1 - sixth hole

Reed leaves Spieth with plenty of work to do and the pressure piles on the young Texan when Stenson putts home, leaving Europe on the brink of pulling a hole back. Spieth effortlessly converts however and USA maintain their lead.

Match 3 - hole 3

Garcia sinks a brilliant 18 footer but as swish as it looks, it is only good enough for par.

Match 2 - fifth hole

McIlroy cleans up and Europe remain one up.

Match 2 - fifth hole

Mickelson gets Fowler out of trouble brilliantly, driving a precise effort through the trees and to within 12 feet of the pin. Can Fowler repay the favour! Almost! His measured putt looks to be heading in but it agonisingly rolls over the hole and back out.

Match 2 - fifth hole

Rickie Fowler tees off but it looks horribly wayward as it sends the crowd scattering.

McIlroy and Sullivan and Kaymer and Garcia have each taken a hole and the USA's lead, provided by the sharp putting of Patrick Reid and Jordan Spieth, has been shortened.

Match 2 - hole 4 - Europe lead 1-0

Mickelson drags his putt across the hole and back out and it gives McIlroy a golden opportunity to win the hole. He holds and nerve, and Europe have another point on the board.

Match 1 - fifth hole

It's almost perfect from Reed as he dinks one in from the undercut but it breaks away to right and slides wide of the hole. Rose looks to close the gap from a good 18 feet out but the birdie shot evades him again.

Match 4 - first hole

Lee Westwood comes to the rescue after an errant shot from the slightly nervous looking Pieters, pulling back a half to keep to their contest level.

Match 3 - second hole Europe lead 1-0

Europe have their first point of the afternoon as Zach Johnson misses his putt. Kaymer and Garica are up and running.

Nick Howson at Hazeltine

Lee Westwood playing in his 10th Ryder Cup and he had no time for the pre-round pleasantries, grabbing his driver as soon as he can after being introduced to the crowd. He might regret that approach however as he becomes the second European to find the bunker. Dustin Johnson's drive meanwhile has disappeared. The best of the eight that I've seen at the opening hole.

As the final foursome tees off, USA have a 2-0 lead in Match one where Spieth and Reed have started the far sharper against Rose and Stenson.

Match 3 - first hole

It's bogey shots all round at Walker/Johnson and Garcia/Kaymer, all square there after the first.

Jordan Speith and Patrick Reed give USA 2-0 lead against Europe's Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.

Nick Howson at Hazeltine

News travels fast at the Ryder Cup and the noise emanating from the second green could be heard on the first tee, and you didn't need to be a rocket scientist to know that America has gone one-up in the top match. Momentum is an overused phrase in global sport, but perhaps it is most relevant in this environment where the atmosphere can really swell particularly if the home team get on top.

Match 1 - third hole - USA lead 2-0

Stenson misses another chance to birdie with his effort breaking to the right. Spieth takes no mistake and punishes him, calmly sinking his second of the opening three holes.

Match 2 - second hole

McIlroy goes for a difficult putt shot up hill but it slows to a stop two yards from the hole. Mickelson takes a good while measuring up his effort trying to get his angles right. He almost does too, but puts just too much power on it, sending it scurrying inches wide.

Jimmy Walker looks to take advantage but nerves hit; he too finds the bunker. Poor shot.

Kaymer's tee shot lands in the sand but Garcia rescues it, scooping out back onto the green.

Nick Howson at Hazeltine

Andy Sullivan might be the most laid back player on either team this week, but you could sense the nerves as he stood over his first tee shot. Finding the edge of the fairway down the left-hand side, he'll be glad to have got it out the way. Rickie Fowler may not have been selected automatically for Team USA but he is confidence exemplified, and he made good contact.

Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer are on the green to tee off against Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson. After a couple of photo opps, we will be off with Kaymer up first.

Match 2 - first hole

Mickelson nervelessly putts home from four yards out and McIlroy follows suit.

Match 2 - first hole

Fowler's slightly nervous-looking effort doesn't get near enough and he will settle for par. Can Sullivan steal an advantage? No, but it's close.

Match 1 - second hole

Stenson's birdie attempt falls a foot short and Spieth takes full advantage, sinking the first birdie to give USA the lead.

Match 2

Phil Mickelson grimaces as his shot falls short and rolls back down. McIlroy gets his further but a nasty spin sends it back down the slope too. Difficult birdie shots for both Fowler and Sullivan coming up.

Back to Match 1. Rose, 8 iron in hand, gets the distance right but pulls his shot a bit too far wide for his liking. Reed, 300 yards off the pin, brings his in beautifully from right to left. Superb shot, he leaves Spieth a chance to birdie from 10 feet out.

Nerveless from Sullivan. The rookie drives firmly down the green and gets a nod of approval from McIlroy.

Our second foursome is just about to get underway. Andy Sullivan, paired with Rory McIlroy against Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler, stands over the tee....

One hole down and we are all square.

Stenson will tee off on the par 4 second hole.

On for the birdie, Rose putts slightly down hill but he too drags his just wide. It will be all square for par after the first round.

Nick Howson at Hazeltine

He may be the Olympic champion and a former US Open winner, but I doubt Justin Rose has faced a more nerve-racking atmosphere than the first tee this morning - and he absolutely nailed it. So to did Patrick Reed, who showed his metal in short sleeves in temperatures which must be approaching below centigrade.

Reed steps up for the birdie putt but curls it just adrift. A chance for Rose here...

Jordan Spieth is up for his first shot and drops his 12 yards from the pin. Can Stenson match him? Yep, his lands a yard inside.

It;s still pretty misty across Hazeltine, but you will have no problems picking out this lot.

Superb tee shots on this par four first hole from both, with Reed's drive sparking more frenetic 'USA, USA USA chants from the lively crowd. It's going to be a good day...

There it is! Justin Rose drives down the green with the first shot of the 2016 Ryder Cup. Patrick Reed, the pantomine villian at Gleneagles four years ago, will start the US campaign.

Nick Howson at Hazeltine

The atmosphere around the first tee is everything you hoped it might be. The excitement is as palpable as the fog and mist which covers the Chaska course this morning. Reed and Spieth arrive on the tee separately, Rose and Stenson together. The European mantra there for all to see.

It's only just gone half 7 over in Minnesota, but the crowd is absolutely electric. Plenty of stars and stripes in the crowd.

Here they come. Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose, gold and silver medallist at Rio 2016 last month, make their way down to the green,

Anyone got any bets on this weekend? Despite the six rookies in Europe's ranks, Bettingexpert.com say statistics still favour the defending champions. Just.

A couple of final warm ups from Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose.

Just under 10 minutes to go? Excited yet? You better be. Here's another look at those tee times.

Match 1: 1:35pm

USA - Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed
Europe - Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson

Match 2: 1:50pm

USA - Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler
Europe - Rory McIlory and Andy Sullivan

Match 3: 2:05pm

USA - Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson
Europe - Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer

Match 4: 2:20pm

USA - Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar
Europe - Lee Westwood and Thomas Pieter

History is still on the side of the United States in the Ryder Cup but Europe have controlled this competition for over 20 years. Since, 1985 they have lifted the trophy 11 times to USA's four. Only in 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2008 have they slipped. For the third time since the start of that run, Europe are on the verge of four in a row. Twice USA have managed to stop them. Failing to do that again isn't an option.

A rather tranquil build-up to today's opening round was interrupted in spectacular fashion by Willett this week. Not Masters champion Danny, but rather his brother Peter. The man who rose to relative fame live tweeting his little brother's first major success in April well and truly put his foot in it when his his hugely anti-American editorial appeared online.

While Darren Clarke may have decided to leave him out anyway, Danny Willett sits out of the fourball and foursome sessions, with rookie Thomas Pieters partnering Lee Westwood instead.

Willet admitted to reporters on Thursday the unwanted sideshow had made him lose focus. You can read our piece on the fallout of it all here.

That's been the toughest thing I guess. What was said was said and there's no going back on anything like that.

"You know, like I said, I spoke to Davis and spoke to the guys and hopefully we can draw a line. But yeah, it's been pretty tricky for me to get back on and fully focus these last few hours, especially this morning.

It was a like Blues Brothers tribute at the the opening ceremony last night. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, gold and silver medallists at Rio 2016, are together again today; they get the ball rolling for Europe.

The first tee shot of what promises to be an absorbing weekend will be taken at 1:35pm (BST) on the dot. Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose and Open champion Henrik Stenson have been selected to draw first blood for Europe; they take on Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reid in the first of the afternoon foursomes.

Tee times for that opening session are:

Match 1: 1:35pm

USA - Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed
Europe - Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson

Match 2: 1:50pm

USA - Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler
Europe - Rory McIlory and Andy Sullivan

Match 3: 2:05pm

USA - Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson
Europe - Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer

Match 4: 2:20pm

USA - Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar
Europe - Lee Westwood and Thomas Pieter

Each group of four will then reconvene for the evening fourballs session, scheduled to tee off at 6:30pm.

Excited yet? We are just an hour away from the first tee shot of the 2016 Ryder Cup. After an opening ceremony on Thursday that was tinged with poignancy following the passing of The King, Arnold Palmer, Europe and the United States renew their rivalry at Hazeltine in a showdown the hosts dare not lose.

Europe have travelled to Minnesota chasing a fourth consecutive triumph. Graeme McDowell's thrilling sudden-death heroics at Celtic Manor six years ago helped shift the power balance, before Europe harnessed the spirit of the late, great Seve Ballesteros and the spellbinding leadership of Jose Maria Olazabal at the Miracle of Medinah two years later.

There was less drama two years later at Gleneagles. Tom Watson's side arrived and left with a whimper as they were swept away in Scotland. USA need a response and hope Davis Love III and his team provide it.

With six rookies among the European ranks, many feel this is the USA's best chance to reclaim the Ryder Cup. They will also hope they can capture the unity that so traditionally reverberates around the Europe dressing room to fuel their quest for redemption. And following the death of Palmer at the beginning of the week, they will above all else hope to pay the most fitting tribute to The King of golf.