European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley could not have been prouder after his side came from being down  1  1/2 points to  2 1/2 after the morning Fourballs and win all but one of the afternoon Foursomes and forge 5 points to 3 points clear of their USA rivals.

And after what had been a difficult morning for McGinley particularly in seeing ‘Mr. Ryder Cup’ and rookie team mate Stephen Gallacher humbled 5 & 4 by the rookie all-Texan born pair of Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.

“We’ve seen in the Ryder Cup over the years how important momentum switches are and how it can really have a domino affect, so when the surge came from America at the end of the Fourball session this morning, and for our guys to come and react the way they did this afternoon and for their to blue in every match within six holes this afternoon showed real strength of character,” said McGinley.

Welsh rookie Jamie Donaldson and nine-time Euro star Lee Westwood lead the turnaround on day one of the 2014 Ryder Cup. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

“It also just shows what ability we have in this team.

“It was fabulous too that Rory and Sergio managed to squeeze out a half point as that could have been a half point that could have gone to the American side.

“So after only just losing their match this morning it would have been difficult for them to have again lost this afternoon.

“But that’s what happens sometimes in golf as sometimes you play well and you get beaten, so there was no over reaction to what happened this morning and for me it’s not about two points, it’s not about three points so if we lose a point we just go forward.”

And McGinley singled out the rookie pair of Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who teamed with nine-time European Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood to win their opening Foursomes match 2 up over the experienced USA duo of Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar, and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, who joined 2010 Ryder Cup winning hero Graeme McDowell 3 & 2 over Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley.

“Jamie and Victor had great partners for a start and you won’t get better guys to shoulder you for your first Ryder Cup match,” said McGinley.

“So that was huge for them and that’s why we put Stevie Gallacher with Ian Poulter this morning but then with those two it doesn’t always work, so that’s what happens with a Ryder Cup as it’s not a perfect science as you get situations that don’t always work out.

“But then two wins out of three from the rookies today wasn’t bad and we’re pleased with that however having said that it was a great day.  Lots of momentum.  Brilliant but let’s take stock as we have a big day tomorrow.”

It was the first defeat for the pairing of Mickelson and Bradley and with SKY Sports Butch Harmon singling out Mickelson saying:  “It just looks like Phil ran out of gas”.

And there was plenty of controversy with Watson deciding to rest the winning Fourball rookie duo of Reed and Spieth from the afternoon session.