SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES – Ryder Cup veterans Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter starred as Europe claimed a history-making foursomes whitewash in a stunning fightback to seize a 5-3 lead over the United States on Friday.
Trailing by two points after the opening-morning fourballs at Le Golf National, home captain Thomas Bjorn brought wildcard picks Poulter, Garcia and Henrik Stenson into the action and the decision paid off in style.
Europe roared back at the Americans to the delight of raucous crowds at the first Ryder Cup to be played in France.
A fan with a banner with reference to Team USA's Tiger Woods and Team Europe's Ian Poulter REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
US skipper Jim Furyk left out Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed after their defeat by Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood got Europe on the board, and his players totally lost the momentum they had built up earlier in the day.
It was the first foursomes clean sweep for the hosts in Ryder Cup history.
Stenson and Rose reprised their successful partnership of Ryder Cups gone by to see off Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson 3 and 2, while Garcia teamed up with Swedish rookie Alex Noren to crush Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau 5 and 4.
Team Europe's Sergio Garcia during the Foursomes on Day1 of the Ryder Cup. Photo: REUTERS/Charles Platiau
The experienced duo of Poulter and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy battled back from 2-down to beat Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 4 and 2.
Molinari and Fleetwood grabbed their second win of the day with a 5 and 4 thumping of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, as all the American pairings finished their rounds over par.