Ryder Cup fever kicks in

It did not take long for the first potential flashpoint of the Ryder Cup to occur at Medinah today – or for the first flash of genius from world number one Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy and Graeme McDowell were sent out in the first foursomes contest with Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker as captain Jose Maria Olazabal looked to get Europe’s defence of the trophy off to a flying start in Chicago.