Europe fall behind

The United States today drew first blood in the 37th Ryder Cup in a rollercoaster opening session at Valhalla.

Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan recovered from two down after two holes to beat Europe’s Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey 3&2 in the second foursomes match out on the course.

It was Leonard’s first victory in nine matches, coming on his first appearance since his part in the controversial victory at Brookline in 1999.

“It feels great,” said Leonard. “I told Hunter I lost the first two holes for us on purpose to take the pressure off. We had a lot of fun out there.”

It gave Paul Azinger’s side the ideal start as they attempted to avoid a fourth straight defeat following two nine-point hammerings at Oakland Hills in 2004 and the K Club in 2006.

And things were going America’s way elsewhere too with Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim fighting back from three down with six to play to level their match with Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson heading to the 18th.

Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell had also turned a three-hole deficit into a one-hole advantage over Justin Rose and Ian Poulter with four to play, while Europe’s top pairing of Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were one down to Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk with five holes remaining.

Garcia has won all eight of his previous foursomes matches, and he and Westwood have been Europe’s joint top points scorers in the last two victories.