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The United States won the morning foursomes 3-1 at the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla, claiming the opening session of the biennial event for the first time since 1991.

Mickelson/Kim v Harrington/Karlsson

- ALL SQUARE

World number two Phil Mickelson and Ryder Cup rookie Anthony Kim produced a remarkable comeback against Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson to halve the day's opening match.

Trailing by three holes through 12, and with Kim struggling desperately to find his game, Mickelson inspired the pair to claim 13, 14 and 15 to bring things level, setting up an enthralling conclusion.

Harrington had a chance to win the match at the last, but his 10-footer slid wide and 23-year-old Kim showed fine composure to roll home a tricky short putt to bring things level.

The match will be remembered for a remarkable shot from Mickelson at 14 that proved its turning point - the three-time Major winner chipping to within inches from a difficult lie off the green to effectively win the hole.

Leonard/Mahan v Stenson/Casey

- USA WON 3&2

The US claimed the first point of the Ryder Cup courtesy of a convincing victory for Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan against Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey of England.

Rookie Mahan was arguably the most impressive player of the morning, striking the ball beautifully to maintain the pressure on the European pairing, who trailed by one hole going into the 14th.

It was at the 215-yard par three that a mistake from Casey allowed the US to open a two-hole lead, and they closed out victory at the 16th.

Campbell/Cink v Rose/Poulter

- USA WON 1-UP

England's Justin Rose and Ian Poulter suffered a painful final-hole defeat to Chad Campbell and Stewart Cink to give the United States their second victory of the day.

Rose and Poulter began on inspired form, with three birdies in succession to lead by two holes through five, and with Campbell and Cink struggling the match looked set to a decidedly one-sided affair.

But the Americans fought back bravely, and drew level at the 13th after Poulter, on his Ryder Cup debut, found the water with his approach.

The European pairing then bogeyed 14 to give the US the lead for the first time in the match, before they found the wet stuff themselves at 15 to bring things all square once more.

To the 18th they went, but Rose was wayward with his iron into the green and the Americans took advantage to take par for the win.

Furyk/Perry v Westwood/Garcia

- ALL SQUARE

Sergio Garcia maintained his perfect Ryder Cup record in the fourballs as Europe completed a stunning recovery to save a half in the final match of the morning.

The Spaniard was partnered by England's Westwood for what many saw as the grandstand match of the opening session, against American's Jim Furyk and hometown hero Kenny Perry.

The European pair was heavily fancied for victory and took the opening hole after Perry found a greenside bunker.

But the 48-year-old Perry sunk a fine birdie putt at the third to bring things level, and by the 12th the US had opened a two-hole lead to put Garcia's remarkable record of eight fourballs matches unbeaten in jeopardy.

Birdie at the 13th brought the Europeans to within one hole, but Garcia found the water at 14 to hand a wonderful opportunity to the US - only for Perry to follow his ball into the drink and hand Europe the hole.

Coming up the last Garcia and Westwood trailed by one, but a sloppy bogey from the Americans secured an unlikely point.

OVERALL SCORE: USA 3-1 EUROPE

Will Tidey / Eurosport