Ryder Cup 2014: six talking points from day one at Gleneagles

Europe turn the tables after ding-dong day

For Europe everything began so well, then went a bit wrong, then swung back in their favour. It was one of those days when both teams were cagey at times but brilliant at others. In the end the Americans will feel aggrieved that they trail by two points (at 5-3), especially given the fightback by Rory McIlroy and Sergio García in the penultimate match of the day. The USA were leading by a point going into the foursomes despite an early surge of blue on the leaderboard during the fourballs. There was drama, despair and delight throughout a captivating opening day.

Will this Ryder Cup go the distance?

Most of the talk before a ball was struck in Perthshire had been of European superiority, how Paul McGinley’s team were clear favourites over one of the weakest USA sides in years. However, Tom Watson’s men showed that this year’s tournament is going to be a mightily hard-fought contest, with three of their rookies – Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed – particularly impressive. The fear had been that Watson’s side could go down in the first day by a significant margin and fall away but on this evidence the contest could go right to a nail-biting denouement on Sunday. Nevertheless, they will be disappointed to trail by two.

Can Ian Poulter regain his Ryder Cup mojo?

One could have been forgiven for thinking Ian Poulter was invincible during the build-up at Gleneagles, such was the reverence thrown his way. However, a first defeat after seven successive wins was a major scalp for America early on, especially given the manner of the 5&4 defeat. Poulter may have assured himself a place in the Ryder Cup pantheon already yet his first round here was poor, with no birdies scored and numerous shots awry. It did not help that Stephen Gallacher struggled on a course he knows so well but getting your “butt kicked”, as he put it, by two rookies cannot have been easy to stomach for Poulter. Europe will hope his inner beast has been awakened.

Phil Mickelson gets one over Rory McIlroy

Much was made of Mickelson’s jestful barb earlier in the week, when he stirred up the Ryder Cup phoney war by claiming the American team “don’t litigate” against each other (a reference to the continuing legal battle involving McIlroy and Graeme McDowell). Not long has passed since McIlroy said Mickelson was “getting older” but the left-hander capitalised on some sloppy play from the Northern Irishman and García on the 18th to take their morning fourball one-up. Mickelson sank the winning putt despite Europe leading with three holes to play, with both McIlroy and García struggling with their approaches at the last.

A brave and bold move from Watson that paid off

The US captain raised more than a few eyebrows on Thursday when the morning fourball pairings were announced. Two rookies, Spieth and Reed, were selected together and pitted against Poulter and Gallacher. Of all the fourballs this was the one expected to give Europe the fewest problems. How wrong those predictions were. Spieth and Reed played some immaculate golf, getting the measure of the greens and carding six birdies between them to win 5&4. Watson said on Thursday: “I’m going to throw you in the ocean without a life preserver.” How his rookies swam.

Crowds partisan and cameras caused frustration

The atmosphere on the 1st tee bubbled with anticipation, even if the sun had yet to rise fully over the PGA Centenary Course at 7am on Friday. It was the usual jovial, passionate Ryder Cup fare, all with a dash of respect for the opposition. That atmosphere continued throughout the first day, although there were a few incidents across Gleneagles that left the players frustrated. An American woman greenside on the 8th hole picked up Bubba Watson’s ball and tried to put it in her pocket before communal screams of “NO!” prompted her to drop it before scuttling off giggling (luckily Bubba was oblivious to this). Mickelson told off a cameraman during his first round and Justin Rose questioned some of the rogue noises after his excellent day.