Europe's Padraig Harrington hits the first shot of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla, Louisville, Kentucky Phil Mickelson tees off for the US, but he and Anthony Kim are soon one down to Harrington and Robert Karlsson European captain Nick Faldo, under heavy scrutiny throughout the build-up, cheers his team on at the first tee Hunter Mahan, partnering Justin Leonard, approaches the first green, but the US pair find themselves 2 down after the first two holes Justin Rose cards three consecutive birdies as he and partner Ian Poulter take an impressive two-hole lead after 5 A contingent of Irish fans dressed as leprechauns follow Harrington and Karlsson around the course but see them fall back to level after 8 Trailing Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia by a hole, Kenny Perry tees off on the 5th but he and Jim Furyk stay behind as both pairs par After their early struggles, Mahan and Leonard stage a fine comeback to lead Stenson and Casey by 2 after 9 holes Harrington, playing with a sore neck, and Karlsson go 3 up after 12 holes as Mickelson and Kim throw away several good chances The composed Furyk and local hero Perry keep Westwood and Garcia at bay, 1 up since the 7th after trading the early holes Poulter and Rose see a strong three-hole lead wiped out by Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell by the 13th as the USA hit back Things worsen for Europe when Leonard sinks a four-footer at the 16th to give himself and Mahan a 3&2 win Harrington misses his putt at the 18th but Kim sinks his to halve the match but it marks Europe's first points on the board Faldo is left to console Poulter after he and Rose both miss putts at the 18th to hand a one-hole victory to Cink and Campbell Soon after, however, Furyk misses at the last hole to hand a half to Garcia and Westwood as USA take a 3-1 lead after the foursomes Harrington, partnered by Graeme McDowell, move 3 up on Mickelson and Kim in the afternoon fourballs Miguel Angel Jimenez makes his first appearance alongside Garcia but the Spaniards are soon behind against Leonard and Mahan Cup debutant Soren Hansen and partner Westwood take an early lead against Holmes and Boo Weekley as Europe fight back Weekley proves a big hit with the home fans shouting "Booooo' every time he drives the ball or makes a putt Kim and Mickelson launch a superb comeback to get back on level terms in a thriller with Harrington and McDowell Caroline Harrington (centre) and Amy Mickelson (right) give their support to their husbands Poulter and Rose discuss tactics as they go 2 up on Steve Stricker and Ben Curtis after seven Poulter and Rose seal the victory 4&2, a rare European success as the scoreboard starts to turn in America's favour Mickelson is the inspiration as he and Kim seal the win to extend the hosts' overall lead Leonard and Mahan take their sizzling form into the fourballs, with a 4&3 victory over Spanish pair Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez Westwood is congratulated by George Bush Snr after he and Soren Hansen snatch a half against Boo Weekley and JB Holmes
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