Love v Clarke (match halved) Darren Clarke nearly ambushed Davis Love with an inspirational finish in a see-saw match that ended all-square. He had played catch-up throughout, getting back to within one with a fine approach at the 8th, but denied at the 11th when Love matched his birdie.
However, it all changed on the closing holes as Clarke made a super two at 16 and then amazingly chipped in from off the green at 17 to get back level.
Love could only make five at the last, but Clarke also ended with a bogey.
For so long, it looked like Love would do what captain Hal Sutton asked of him by claiming a full point in one of the first matches out.
 |  I'm disappointed with missing that putt at the last, but I think a half is a very good result |
But in an encounter that was always played in a friendly spirit, Clarke eventually managed a very welcome half for Europe.
However, the man from Northern Ireland is still to win a singles match in Ryder Cups.
"It's tough whem you play against a real good friend - I was smoking his cigars out there," Clarke said afterwards.
"We had a really good game. I'm disappointed with missing that putt at the last, but I think a half is a very good result."
MMIX
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Story of Europe's win