US make red-hot start to Ryder Cup foursomes

MEDINAH, Illinois (REUTERS) - The United States (US), 5-3 ahead of holders Europe after the first day of the Ryder Cup, made a sizzling start to Saturday morning's foursomes as they grabbed early leads in three of the four matches.

Though Europe had sent out all their big guns in the alternate-shot format in a bid to wrest back momentum in the biennial team competition, it was the Americans who stormed out of the starting gate.

Once again, it was Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley who set the tone for the Americans as they charged five up on Englishmen Lee Westwood and Luke Donald in the second match out after nine holes.

Cup veteran Mickelson and rookie Bradley had won both their matches together on the first day amid a flurry of fist pumps and high-fives and they continued that sizzling form with five birdies on the front nine.