Photos: Ryder Cup day two

Phil Mickelson returned to action to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Levet 4&3 in Saturday's foursomes.

The world number four was dropped from the morning fourballs after a dismal first day but bounced back with an improved display alongside David Toms.

Mickelson brought the hosts level on the fifth green and then Toms put the USA ahead as Europe stuttered badly.

Levet missed two simple putts which would have put Europe ahead and the USA went on to win three quick holes.

The Masters champion, who enjoyed a superb partnership with Toms at the Belfry in 2002, had to make amends after letting his team-mates down on the opening day.

"I had a tough night but I got lifted by my team-mates in the fourballs and I worked some things out on the range," said Mickelson, whose win ends his run of nine consecutive defeats in Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup matches.

Saturday's foursomes All the action

"I think I have struggled because my head goes down in these situations and I get very stressed.

"When I won the Masters I was laughing and having a great time, so I tried to stay relaxed and tried not to steer it so much. That helped me hit the ball a lot better," he added.

However, Mickelson admitted the USA faced a massive task to regain the trophy on Sunday.

"It would take something exceptional and it's very unlikely, but we won't give up - we managed to come back from 10-6 in 1999," said the Masters champion.

"It will be very difficult but I wouldn't count us out just yet."