Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn got Europe off to a flier in the opening fourballs match as their victory over Tiger Woods and Paul Azinger inflicted a huge pyschological blow.

The Americans had looked set to snatch an unlikely half on the 18th green, but Bjorn held his nerve with a birdie putt from 20 feet to secure the full point.

Clarke made a blistering start for the Europeans, striking a sweet eight iron from a fairway bunker to nine feet and immediately sent Europe one up courtesy of a birdie three.

In contrast, Woods reacted furiously when his approach to the green was disturbed by the click of a camera shutter.

Clarke went on to birdie the opening three holes and it was only the fighting spirit of Woods that kept the Americans in it as he matched him stride for stride.

Azinger brought the match level by holing a 15-footer at the fourth and Woods put the United States up for the first time at the eighth only to see Europe claw the deficit back two holes later.

Fortunes swung in Europe's favour at the 208-yard 12th hole as Dane Bjorn holed from 35 feet for a birdie two - a telling moment in a predictably tense encounter.

A tap-in victory for Bjorn at 16 secured at least a half, but then Woods won 17 to send it to the last.

Azinger's dream approach to within 'gimme' range really turned up the heat on Europe, but Bjorn showed class and bottle to hole out from 20 feet for a priceless victory.

"We just ran into a couple of guys that played exceptionally well today," said Azinger.

"This was probably one of the greatest Ryder Cup matches ever."

Woods added: "Thomas played beautifully on the back nine."

Watch a round-up of day one's action