Johnson & Morikawa

EUROPE’S powerhouse duo got the champions’ first point on the board.

The Americans won the second and did not drop a shot throughout but Rahm and Garcia hit back to lead by two at the turn. They twice led by three on the back nine. Although Thomas prolonged the match on the 16th and Spieth found the green with a remarkable shot at the 17th, the match ended there.

USA WIN 3&2

A SEE-SAW opening saw the Europeans fall behind and then hit back to lead but the Americans took command after levelling at the sixth.

They were three ahead after 12 and looked set to go further in front when Casey found the rough at the 13th but Johnson unexpectedly missed a par putt after Hovland holed. That reduced the arrears but it only delayed defeat until Johnson and Morikawa birdied the 16th.

Europe 1 USA 1 Cantlay & Schauffele USA WIN 5&3

McIlroy & Poulter

PADRAIG HARRINGTON’S decision to pair two of his big guns backfired as McIlroy and Poulter struggled.

The Europeans lost the first five holes. They stopped the rot at the sixth and seventh but let a chance to win the eighth slide by. A fluffed chip at the 10th by Cantlay did allow Europe to pull one back and they followed up by taking the 11th, but back-to-back successes at 14th and 15th saw the Americans home.

Europe 1 USA 2

Westwood & Fitzpatrick

USA WIN 2&1

KOEPKA and Berger won three of the first five holes to establish an early lead but were not immune to errors and Westwood and Fitzpatrick clawed their way back to all square at the turn.

The Americans responded by winning the 10th and 11th and this time they did not let the advantage slip as the next six holes were halved to gain the USA a point.

Europe 1 USA 3