Europe’s dogs of war dig deep to fight off Americans

Nowhere are the twin impostors of success and failure more in evidence than in the cauldron of Ryder Cup battle.

And it was fitting Rory McIlroy’s sensational year should not be sullied by what looked certain to be a disappointing opening day at Gleneagles.

As Graeme McDowell, a two-time French Open champion, gelled beautifully with rookie Victor Dubuisson to hand Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley their first defeat in five outings together, McIlroy and Sergio Garcia came back from a fourball defeat to the same American pair by snatching a half that felt like a win against Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker in the afternoon foursomes.