European debut boys Pierre Fulke and Phillip Price were taught a foursomes lesson by Phil Mickelson and David Toms over a punishing back nine at The Belfry.

Fulke and Price held their own over the opening stretch, but three defeats in three holes from the 13th proved their undoing.

Early nerves were hardly settled when Toms sent the United States into an immediate lead at the first, but Europe drew level at the third after Mickelson took a trip to the water.

It was a similar story at the sixth as the Americans again found a water hazard and Europe pulled ahead.

Further holes were traded and Europe would have gone two up at the 12th if Fulke's putt had not lipped out. "That was the turning point," said the Swede afterwards.

The collapse began with the loss of hole 13 and when Price missed from six feet at 14, Europe swung from being one up to one down.

A majestic fairway wood from Mickelson inflicted a killer blow on the 15th as he thrashed the ball to tap-in range for an eagle to go two up and a magnificent sand save maintained that advantage at 16.

Welshman Price took his turn in the water at the 17th and that sealed Europe's fate, with a 2&1 defeat bringing the United States level in the match overall.

Fulke said: "I just wan't to get back out here and beat these guys."

Toms, who was also making his first Ryder Cup appearance, said: "It was a lot more fun than I imagined. Sure, it was nerve-wracking but I had a blast."

Watch a round-up of day two's action