Clarke (left) and Westwood got Europe's first points on the board

Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke scored the first point with a 4&3 win over SK Ho and Toru Taniguchi.

Swedish pairings Johan Edfors and Henrik Stenson and Niclas Fasth and Robert Karlsson also won while Anthony Wall and Paul McGinley earned a half.

Asia need at least a win in Saturday's fourballs to have any chance of wresting the trophy from Europe.

Seve Ballesteros, Europe's non-playing captain, was pleased with his side's performance but insisted the competition was far from over.

"I predicted 3-1, and that was even better," he said. "I'm very happy with my players. They played flawless match play.

"It will be a totally different game tomorrow. Fourballs is totally different."

Westwood and Clarke put together a run of birdies on the 10th, 11th and 15th holes after a close front nine to see off Ho and Taniguchi.

It was all over by the 13th hole for Tetsuji Hiratsuka and Prom Meesawat as Stenson and Edfors registered a 6&5 win.

A Fasth birdie on the 17th was enough for the second Swedish pairing to see off Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant 3&1.

However, Jeev Milkha Singh and YE Yang restored some pride for the home side as they battled back from two holes down to take a half against Wall and McGinley.