Comeback Europe leads Ryder Cup

On a frosty, windy Friday at the Gleneagles Resort in Scotland, the Ryder Cup opened up in typically entertaining fashion with the European squad roaring back against the Americans to take a 5-3 lead (see full results below).

Of the four alternate shot matches, Europe won three-and-a-half, after trailing by a point following the four morning fourball matches.

Englishman Justin Rose and Swede Henrik Stenson shined for Europe on day one, winning both of their morning and afternoon matches. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, the world's number one ranked player, only managed a half-point during a tough day with partner Sergio Garcia, of Spain.

"We had two tough matches today and at least we have a half point to show for it," McIlroy told Sky Sports. The duo lost in the morning and had to fight back in the afternoon to halve with Jimmie Walker and Rickie Fowler.

Germany's Kaymer halves morning match

It was Fowler and Walker who had to fight back to salvage a half point in the morning, after Martin Kaymer, Germany's lone participant in the competition, and his Danish partner Thomas Bjorn came out of the gate with birdies flying.

Kaymer and Bjorn were up by three holes at one point, but they failed to bring home the victory as Walker and Fowler birdied two of the last three holes to even the match.

"We were in the lead the whole day, and I had a number of chances to put the match away, but we couldn't. It's very disappointing," Kaymer, who made the decisive putt that gave Europe the title two years ago, told Sky Sports.

Kaymer wasn't chosen by Captain Paul McGinley as one of the eight European contenders in the afternoon, but despite his disappointment, he retained his characteristic even-keeled attitude.

"It's a long event, and the best part about it is that there's no gray area. Either you take home the trophy, or you don't."

Europe needs 14 points to retain the Ryder Cup. Saturday will see a repeat of morning fourball and afternoon foursomes before 12 singles matches on Sunday.

FRIDAY RESULTS - EUROPE 5 UNITED STATES 3

Foursomes (afternoon):

Jamie Donaldson/Lee Westwood defeat Jim Furyk/Matt Kuchar 2-up

Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson defeat Hunter Mahan/Zach Johnson 2 and 1

Rory McIlroy/Sergio Garcia halve with Jimmy Walker/Rickie Fowler

Victor Dubuisson/Graeme McDowell defeat Phil Mickelson/Keegan Bradley 3 and 2

Fourballs (morning):

Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson defeat Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson 5 and 4

Jordan Spieth/Patrick Reed defeat Stephen Gallacher/Ian Poulter 5 and 4

Thomas Bjorn/Martin Kaymer halve with Rickie Fowler/Jimmy Walker

Keegan Bradley/Phil Mickelson defeat Sergio Garcia/Rory McIlroy 1-up