Afternoon fall for fighting Irish

They began the day so well, but as Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy were beaten in their fourball match with Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson at Medinah last night, they had the look of heavyweight boxers taken 12 rounds.

The Irish duo fought to the last, having trailed their second-session match from the very first hole. It was not quite enough, as Mickelson and Bradley proved an irresistible force for the second match running.

Mickelson, making a US record ninth appearance in the contest set up victory with a laser of an iron shot off the 17th tee and although McIlroy made a birdie two, rookie Bradley capped a wonderful first day as a Ryder Cupper by sinking the three-footer to halve the hole and seal a 2&1 victory.