Ryder Cup - day one as it happened

Rory McIlroy talking to BBC Radio 5 live: "The consensus at lunch was we have to chip away at the lead. It was to get some points on the board and I don't think we could have dreamed it any better this afternoon. 

"We are probably going into our locker room a little bit happier than they are this afternoon."

US captain Davis Love on Sky Sports: "You know it's going to be a close match. We had a great morning, they had a great afternoon. We shot low scores, just got beat by a team playing unbelievable golf.

"JB and Ryan hit the ball well, they just didn't get any putts to drop. Everybody was under par, we just didn't play great and Europe played great.

"We need to start over again tomorrow. It's another day and we try to win every session."

Europe captain Darren Clarke on Sky Sports: "I'm massively proud of them. They were bitterly disappointed at lunchtime. The guys came out this afternoon and the golf was scintillating. 

"I couldn't be more proud of them. It's matchplay golf between 24 of the best players in the world and anything can happen.

"We're going to go and have a conversation to get our pairings for the morning. When we got off to a poor start it's not what I thought would happen but we're only two behind now."

A day that started in disastrous fashion for the holders has turned out OK after all. A strange day - seven pretty one-sided matches and consequently lacking in high drama. But, most importantly, it's still very much a contest. Huge emotion from McIlroy after making that putt to win it, he wants to stick it to the Americans, the irony being he's finally gone transatlantic.  

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Ian Poulter, one of Europe's vice captains, talking to BBC Radio 5 live: "The team was pretty low at lunch time. It's been a long time since it's been 4-0 in a morning session, but the guys dug deep and Rory closed it out with an incredible eagle. 

"That morning session was painful, but the afternoon was incredible. We can hear our crowd now."

Rory McIlroy on Sky Sports: "We were trying to keep the pressure on but I gave Thomas a lot to do in the middle of the round. A lot of credit to this guy. He's taken to the Ryder Cup so naturally.

"It's pretty hostile out there, You don't want to let that get to you but you want to let them know when you hole a putt what it means to you."

Thomas Pieters added: "It's unbelievable playing with Rory. When I got into trouble he played some great shots."

No comeback this afternoon against Rory McIlroy, he wins it in style and bows to the crowd - stunning stuff!

Pieters plops one on and could make birdie, but that should be a sideshow. Tremendous effort by Kuchar, cosying his ball up to the hole, but it means Pieters can half the hole. His effort looked in all the way but didn't have quite enough pace. Enter McIlroy, who has an eagle putt... BOOM! In it goes and that's a massive fillip for Europe, and doesn't Rory know it.

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It feels a little bit like the 15th at Augusta. It rattles the pines when the cheers come.

Kuchar found the fairway at 16 and is on in two after a beautiful, faded approach. Pieters can only jab out sideways but McIlroy's approach is straight into the heart of the green, and the hearts of his opponents. Johnson tugs his left and into the drink, it's Kuchar versus McIlroy for eagle.

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Lowry will one day play at this event you would think. He's won some big prizes on Tour already.

Rafa Cabrero-Bello on Sky Sports: "It's been a real honour to play today and alongside Sergio was extremely special. I'm proud that we played great. We felt very comfortable on the course and we rooted for one another.

"He's great, such a world-class player. I learned so much this year practising with him. I knew that it didn't matter if I messed up, he would be up there."

Fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia said: It was important because we didn't have a good morning. We needed to go out and do something better. Would be nice to win the session and looks like we have a good chance. If we can get three points we are back in it.  

A Spanish embrace between Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Sergio Garcia. I will be stunned if they are not paired together tomorrow morning. 

Emma Cabrera-Bello on BBC Radio 5 live: "It is amazing. How could we have wished for anything better than this? Come on, go Spain, go Europe. It’s a great comeback from the whole team.

"They have played really, really strong and it will be a a surprise if we don’t see them together again."

Pieters sprays his tee shot right off the tee at the 16th, it disappeared in the deep stuff, but McIlroy pounds one down the right-hand side of the fairway. Dunno what the Americans did, they haven't shown that.