The European Team scored the first point of the 2014 Ryder Cup with the opening Fourball pairing of Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose easily defeating their USA rivals Webb Simpson and double Masters winning Bubba Watson 5 & 4.

However there was despair for Mr Ryder Cup Ian Poulter when he and rookie Stephen Gallacher were thumped by the same margin and with the American rookie pair of Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed securing the first point for the USA team with a 5 & 4 success.

Poulter had been the leading points scorer for Europe in the past three Ryder Cups.

And while the Englishman was left lamenting Reed was delighted after being thrown into the deep end by Tom Watson.

“It was just amazing to get a point for our team,” said Reed.

“I have played a lot of golf with Jordan, and a lot of solid golf together, so to come out here this morning with him was always good.

“I don’t know if Jordan and I were set to go out there when we arrived this week but we kind of convinced our captain that we were a great best-ball team and we played extremely well.”

The 2014 Ryder Cup already evenly matched with Europe the first to go 1up before the USA rookie pair of Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed drew level.