Now Europe are Ryder Cup underdogs at Valhalla

America's day as Harrington
contributes only half-point

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Lee Westwood dramatically matched a Ryder Cup record, but it was definitely America's day when the Ryder Cup began at Valhalla Golf Club.
Paul Azinger's side, pumped up just in the way he wanted, opened up a 5 1/2-2 1/2 advantage - and they have never lost from such a position.
But it could have been worse and it needed two great fightbacks from Westwood to limit the damage for Nick Faldo's men, favourites before a ball was struck but now involved in a real battle to win trophy for a fourth successive time.
First Westwood and Sergio Garcia won the last two holes for a half with Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry in the morning foursomes.
Then the Worksop golfer and Danish newcomer Søren Hansen won the final hole of the final match to square things up with big-hitting J B Holmes and Boo Weekley, both of whom found water with their closing drives.
With that, Westwood took his unbeaten run in the event to 12 games - his last defeat was to Scott Verplank in the 2002 singles - and matched Arnold Palmer's record.
Hansen deserves some of the credit, though. Looking like going two down with two to play he chipped in at the 16th before Westwood saved another half on the next by matching Holmes' birdie.
Earlier Padraig Harrington, winner of golf's last two majors, was unable to prevent America making a magnificent start.
Despite being three up in both his foursomes with Swede Robert Karlsson and four-balls with cup debutant Graeme McDowell, Harrington ended the first day with only half a point.
The home side, beaten in the last three matches and five of the last six, won the opening session for the first time since 1991 and when the two Irishmen lost on the final green to Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim it put the Americans 5-2 ahead.
Harrington and Karlsson had been three up with six to play but the match ended in a half after a magnificent American fightback from Mickelson and Kim.
In the afternoon it was three up after only four, but Mickelson's 25 footer on the 17th - he was the furthest from the hole in two of the entire quartet - meant he and his young partner came to the last one-up.
A drive into a bunker meant Harrington could do no better than par and McDowell, in sand by the green, could not get up and down either.
Ian Poulter and Justin Rose had moments earlier registered Europe's first and only win of the day, beating Steve Stricker and Ben Curtis 3 and 2 and so making up for losing their morning battle on the final green.
But Garcia went down 4 and 3 with Miguel Angel Jiménez in an all-Spanish partnership to America's star pair Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan.
Leonard had not won a game in the event until now, but he and rookie Mahan had double success.
In the foursomes they beat Paul Casey and Henrik Stenson, who were then rested.
Westwood said of his morning escape: "Any time you get out of jail it makes a massive difference and can be a momentum swinger."
Harrington was asked about the animated Americans, but did not consider they had overstepped the mark from what he saw.
"I didn't see it - not in our match anyway," he said. "We had a very sporting, but tough match."
Harrington was in the opening game for the third cup clash running.
As in Detroit in 2004 he and his partner (it was Colin Montgomerie then) began spectacularly with a birdie, Harrington holing from six feet.
Faldo said: "We had a very tough morning, but the guys gave 100%.
"It is not just the games which turn, but also the emotions. You have to regroup and go again, but everybody is up.
"The crowds are really fair. Unfortunately they are outnumbering us pretty heavily up that 18th, but I warned the guys that would be the case."
A delighted and relieved Poulter commented: "We managed to play well through holes 12, 13 and 14 where this morning we let it slip a little.
"It was nice to get a point back. We came out and played awesome and I'd like to keep this pairing going."
Rose added: "I am familiar with the US, but never this partisan. The European fans are real troopers, though. They make themselves heard and keep us going."
Westwood, 35 and never rested since he made his cup debut as Faldo's partner in 1997, wiped the sweat from his brow for the second time in the day and said: "I am getting too old for 36 holes in a day.
"That was a good game, hard-fought and Søren made a fantastic chip on the 16th.
"Then I played the 17th as well - you'd expect to get out of jail with a half if he birdies the last three."
Faldo commented: "Any time you claw your way back on 17 and 18 it's good.
"We've had a tough day and yes America have played well and have got more points, but we have not lost any spirit."