US lead despite Rose and Stenson's early strike

Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose claimed the first point of The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, but the United States snatched a late lead from the morning fourballs.

Things appeared to be going the way of the hosts as Rose and Stenson kicked off the biennial contest with a 5 and 4 victory over Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson.

However, talisman Ian Poulter, paired with debutant Stephen Gallacher on home soil, losing 5 and 4 to rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, and the tide turned as the US finished 2 ½ - 1 ½ ahead.

Poulter - Europe's leading points scorer for the last three Ryder Cups - had previously won seven matches in a row, with 11 victories in his last 12 outings, but his partnership with Gallacher did not come off as they managed just one birdie between them.

The short game of Jimmy Walker, who twice chipped in to win a hole, allowed the Americans to then snatch half a point having recovered from an early blitz by opponents Martin Kaymer and Thomas Björn.

It was a blow for Kaymer, who holed the putt which retained the trophy for Europe in Medinah two years ago, and veteran Björn as they were three up after four and two up with three to play.

But worse was to follow as Europe's star pairing of World Number One Rory McIlroy and World Number Three Sergio Garcia lost to America's top two Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley at the 18th hole in a match which swung both ways but which the Europeans led with three holes to play.

All 24 players were set to compete on the opening day, with Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood taking on Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar in the opening foursomes encounter.

Rose and Stenson then faced Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson, before Garcia and McIlroy got a chance of redemption against Fowler and Walker.

Bradley and Mickelson reprised their anchor role against 2010 hero Graeme McDowell and French rookie Victor Dubuisson.

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McIlroy, whose match took almost five and a half hours and meant the final foursomes were put back by 36 minutes, said: "We're very disappointed, but (have) just got to pick ourselves up this afternoon and make up for it.

"It was a little scrappy at times but we fought until the end. Obviously (we're) a little disappointed that neither of us made birdie at the last."

Garcia added: "Probably the fairest thing would have been a draw, but you're not supposed to be fair here. They played the last two par fives well and they beat us."