Europe's Padraig Harrington hits the first shot of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla, Louisville, Kentucky
Phil Mickelson tees off for the US, but he and Anthony Kim are soon one down to Harrington and Robert Karlsson
European captain Nick Faldo, under heavy scrutiny throughout the build-up, cheers his team on at the first tee
Hunter Mahan, partnering Justin Leonard, approaches the first green, but the US pair find themselves 2 down after the first two holes
Justin Rose cards three consecutive birdies as he and partner Ian Poulter take an impressive two-hole lead after 5
A contingent of Irish fans dressed as leprechauns follow Harrington and Karlsson around the course but see them fall back to level after 8
Trailing Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia by a hole, Kenny Perry tees off on the 5th but he and Jim Furyk stay behind as both pairs par
After their early struggles, Mahan and Leonard stage a fine comeback to lead Stenson and Casey by 2 after 9 holes
Harrington, playing with a sore neck, and Karlsson go 3 up after 12 holes as Mickelson and Kim throw away several good chances
The composed Furyk and local hero Perry keep Westwood and Garcia at bay, 1 up since the 7th after trading the early holes
Poulter and Rose see a strong three-hole lead wiped out by Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell by the 13th as the USA hit back
Things worsen for Europe when Leonard sinks a four-footer at the 16th to give himself and Mahan a 3&2 win
Harrington misses his putt at the 18th but Kim sinks his to halve the match but it marks Europe's first points on the board
Faldo is left to console Poulter after he and Rose both miss putts at the 18th to hand a one-hole victory to Cink and Campbell
Soon after, however, Furyk misses at the last hole to hand a half to Garcia and Westwood as USA take a 3-1 lead after the foursomes
Harrington, partnered by Graeme McDowell, move 3 up on Mickelson and Kim in the afternoon fourballs
Miguel Angel Jimenez makes his first appearance alongside Garcia but the Spaniards are soon behind against Leonard and Mahan
Cup debutant Soren Hansen and partner Westwood take an early lead against Holmes and Boo Weekley as Europe fight back
Weekley proves a big hit with the home fans shouting "Booooo' every time he drives the ball or makes a putt
Kim and Mickelson launch a superb comeback to get back on level terms in a thriller with Harrington and McDowell
Caroline Harrington (centre) and Amy Mickelson (right) give their support to their husbands
Poulter and Rose discuss tactics as they go 2 up on Steve Stricker and Ben Curtis after seven
Poulter and Rose seal the victory 4&2, a rare European success as the scoreboard starts to turn in America's favour
Mickelson is the inspiration as he and Kim seal the win to extend the hosts' overall lead
Leonard and Mahan take their sizzling form into the fourballs, with a 4&3 victory over Spanish pair Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez
Westwood is congratulated by George Bush Snr after he and Soren Hansen snatch a half against Boo Weekley and JB Holmes
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Azinger relieved after Ryder Cup win
Weekley lost for words after 'unreal' win
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