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GLENEAGLES. — Justin Rose marked his first home Ryder Cup with a stunning performance alongside Henrik Stenson yesterday as they led from the front to leave Europe in control after day one at Gleneagles.
The Anglo-Swedish combination paid dividends for captain Paul McGinley as they followed up a morning victory in the first match out by contributing another point in the afternoon foursomes.
Europe finished the first day with a 5-3 advantage after trailing by a point at lunch and Stenson saluted the impact made by the Englishman.
“He’s definitely a keeper as a partner as far as I am concerned!’ said the Swede, laughing.
“He’s just got such a solid game. We’ve been friends for such a long time but we’ve never played together and here we just combined so well. I didn’ t play that great in the morning but in the foursomes after lunch we really clicked.”
So did the entire European team as they surrendered just a half-point in the afternoon — and even that one felt like a victory as world number one Rory McIlroy and world number three Sergio Garcia came back from two down with two to play.
Their marvellous comeback was capped by a brilliant shot from the previously out of sorts Spaniard at the 18th.
“I just felt like I owed him one,” said Garcia, who had suffered a bitter one hole defeat alongside McIlroy against Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in the morning.
“We didn’t play that great all day but we fought hard and to rescue that half-point at the end was huge.”
Mickelson lost his cool with an on-course TV cameraman during his four-ball tie on the opening morning of the Ryder Cup.
Mickelson, paired with Bradley, snapped at the cameraman for getting too close to the action.
Bradley’s caddie Steve ‘Pepsi’ Hale warned the cameraman not to get too close to the action on the sixth tee, but an earpiece prevented him from hearing.
Mickelson then waded in.
“Just cover the golf,’ he shouted. “Don’t interfere.”
Tensions were already high as Mickelson faced Garcia and McIlroy in the morning fourball, having been involved in a spat with the latter in the lead up to the opening day.
McIlroy hit back at Mickelson’s taunts ahead of the Ryder Cup by telling him: “At least we’re not wanted by the FBI!”
McIlroy was responding to a comment by the American on Wednesday about the on-going court case involving the former management company that also represents his fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell.
Mickelson was later cleared of any direct involvement but the FBI said they would continue to investigate.
McIlroy said: “I got a couple of jabs back at him at the gala dinner. I know Phil well and we had a couple of laughs about it. We took it well.
“Myself and G-Mac confronted him at the gala dinner and I had a couple of goes. It was all good fun.”
There were also stirring victories for rookies Victor Dubuisson — alongside Graeme McDowell — and Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who marked his debut at the age of 38 with a wonderful performance alongside Lee Westwood.
“I’m not sure we could have played any better,’ said Donaldson, following their victory against noted foursomes specialists Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar.
“We were four under par in tricky conditions which is a heck of a score in foursomes,’ said Westy, playing in his ninth Ryder Cup.
“It was a real high quality match and a great point to earn.”
Delighted Europe captain Paul McGinley saluted his players after their fabulous comeback.
“It was hard to take the way we lost the morning session but the way the guys played in the afternoon really shows the strength of character that we have in this team,” said the Dubliner.
McGinley also gave special mention to rookies Dubuisson and Donaldson.
“First of all they had great partners but they also showed they’re really great players.”
He did, however, finish with a warning.
“We mustn’t get carried away because we’ve got another big day of team golf ahead tomorrow,” he said.
Ex-NBA star Michael Jordan advised Tom Watson on his approach to Team USA’s afternoon foursomes at Gleneagles.
Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, spoke to the Team USA captain about the key to success in the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Watson compared the morning of the opening day to the first quarter of a basketball game as he chatted with the Chicago Bulls legend.
Jordan replied: ‘Take the crowd out of it. Keep it simple. Everything happens.”
The 51-year-old, who is an avid golf fan, has prowled round the Gleneagles course with a big cigar throughout the opening day.
Stats
The 40th Ryder Cup got underway on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles yesterday with Europe leading 5-3
Europe took early lead as Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson beat Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 5&4
USA leveled the match as rookies Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth beat Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter 5&4
Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker salvaged a halve on the 18th against Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer
Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley claimed opening session victory on the last against Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia
Lee Westwood and Jamie Donaldson brought Europe level against Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar in afternoon foursomes
Rose and Stenson beat Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson to put Europe back in front
McIlroy and Garcia produced a late fightback to claim a halve against Fowler and Walker and put Europe 4-3 ahead
Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell win 3&2 against USA’s Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley to make it 5-3. — Mailonline
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