BBC SPORT | Golf | Ryder Cup | Toms guides US to first win

Harrington/Fasth v Mickelson/Toms
(United States won 1 up)

David Toms and Phil Mickelson picked up the United States' sole point of the morning fourballs as they held off an inspired fightback from Padraig Harrington and Niclas Fasth for victory.

Toms, winner of the 2001 USPGA and one of the leading players in world golf this season, was in inspired form.

The Ryder Cup debutant got the Americans off to an electric start in the morning's final pairing with two birdies on the opening two holes.

And he looked to have wrapped up the tie when he stretched the lead to three with only six holes remaining.

But Fasth, another rookie, and Harrington ensured the match was taken to the final hole as their opponents produced their first ragged golf of the day.

Phil Mickelson hits out after finding the trees on the 17th
Mickelson struggled to match Toms

The Irishman had an opportunity to halve the contest with a 20-foot putt on the 18th but it skipped out of the hole.

Fasth was the major force for Europe as his playing partner struggled to find his range early on.

The Swede began with a stunning second shot from the thin rough but was unlucky with his ensuing putts on the first and second holes as the US went two-up.

He finally took the advantage on the third, winning the hole, with Harrington making his mark on the fourth, putting comfortably for a half.

It was America, though, and Toms in particular that looked stronger for much of the round.

He returned his country's lead to two on the par-four fifth before Fasth sank a 20 footer on the eighth.

Europe's one-hole deficit, though, was shortlived when Toms successfully converted the putt of his round as the Americans completed the front nine five-under par.

The 35-year-old looked to have misjudged his final shot of the front nine but it curled its way in.

Fourballs pictures from The Belfry

Europe's chances appeared over on the par-three 12th when Toms sank a 25-foot putt to take him and Mickelson three-up.

But, after talking with captain Sam Torrance, Fasth and Harrington produced a stunning fightback to cut the lead to a single hole with four to play.

Fasth steered in a 12-foot putt after his second shot found the edge of the green on 13th, which was mirrored by Harrington the following hole.

Nailbiting climax

And it was the Irishman, after sending his tee shot into the trees, who kept Europe in the tie, ensuring an unlikely half with a massive putt.

Appropriately it was Toms, the best performer of the quartet, who restored a two-hole advantage at the 16th.

But, in a nailbiting climax, he found the bunker with his tee shot on the 17th while Mickelson's wayward drive went deep into the woods.

Harrington had a chance to win the hole, after chipping in to within two feet of the hole, and successfully ensured the contest was taken to the final hole.

All four players found the green on the 18th and Harrington nearly clinched the hole but his putt to halve the match bounced out of the hole.

Watch a round-up of day one's action


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