USA earn first victory

DiMarco/Haas v Jimenez/Levet
(USA won 3&2)

Photos: Ryder Cup day one

Chris DiMarco and Jay Haas gave the USA a timely boost with a 3&2 defeat of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Levet in Friday's opening foursome.

The hosts clocked up their first victory of the 2004 contest despite going behind at the second hole.

They pulled clear with three staight holes from the fourth, before the lead was reduced to one at the turn.

Two consecutive bogeys at the start of the back nine effectively sealed Europe's demise.

Rookie DiMarco and 50-year-old Haas saw their lead cut to two at the 13th.

But Haas produced a superb approach to two feet for the winning birdie on the 16th.

Friday's foursomes All the action

Delighted DiMarco punched the air as the home crowd celebrated their first victory.

"It's pretty awesome. We finally made some putts, and hit it pretty solid all day," said the rookie.

Haas, the oldest player in the contest at 50, said skipper Hal Sutton had kept his cool despite the US trailing 3½-½ after the opening fourballs.

"Hal seemed pretty relaxed. He gave us a feeling of confidence," he said.