US captain Zach Johnson speaking to Sky Sports: "Things can change. If you think of it like this, we're maybe two-and-a-half holes into an 18-hole day or maybe even the front nine of a golf tournament.

"There is ample opportunity for us and we have got a lot of hungry guys. They accept and want adversity. I have got the utmost confidence in them. It's about doing what they do and staying committed. Feel we’ve got right guys to do that.

"We can only control what we can control. Hats off to the European team. They have been making shots and it has been very impressive. There is still a lot of opportunity."

Ooof, talk about pure ball-striking.

Justin Rose adds another to the showreel with a beauty of an approach on the second.

The veteran Englishman shapes a mid iron into the front of the green, where the pin has been moved to this afternoon.

Moments later, Max Homa takes a slightly different approach going left and using the slope to reel his ball in.

More birdie chances...

The par-three fourth is next for this group and Tyrrell Hatton again takes the plaudits for a fine tee shot.

He's 18 feet away but on the fringe.

Jordan Spieth goes to match him and almost pulls off, his ball drifting a touch further right and he's frustrated as it lands in the rough.

He didn't make these putts in the morning - he didn't hugely need to - but Tyrrell Hatton is inches away from dropping his second dead-eye putt this afternoon.

A great opportunity to win the hole and Hatton takes his time, but it trundles round the edge and scoots away.

Hole halved.

Matt Wallace
Four-time European Tour winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Matthew Fitzpatrick is a totally different animal now after being a major championship.

He's been playing some brilliant stuff and he's got Rory McIlroy, who has been out here this morning.

He probably wasn't on his best form but I think he'll take some good vibes going into this afternoon.

I'd say this is a very strong team for Europe.

Up ahead on the first green... Homa goes first with his birdie putt. Canned it.

That ekes up the pressure on MacIntyre. Or does it? If it did he doesn't show it.

A cool and composed finish by the Scot from about seven feet.

A European birdie meets an American birdie and that delivers a half.

It stays all square after Brooks Koepka misses his putt on the second. Koepka plays in the LIV Golf League this season so has played less overall, but has played more recently than a lot of the USA team so may not be as rusty.

Shootout ahead on the third green.

Justin Thomas and Tyrrell Hatton both have eight-foot looks at birdie, the latter's approach threatening the hole before spinning away.

No prizes for guessing who is 4-0 down judging by the faces of Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele - who both look shell shocked as they emerge back on the first tee.

Rory McIlroy has a similar quick turnaround but obviously he's in a much better frame of mind after the morning.

Justin Rose also has a birdie putt but that's from much further out. He's given it a chance, though.

Good effort but it doesn't drop.

Over to MacIntyre.

We'll have a birdie please Bob.

Pick your weapon.

Putter.

Looks to be a straight shootout with the short stick between Bob MacIntyre and Max Homa.

Both players are within the length of a telescopic ball retriever of a birdie.

European captain Luke Donald speaking to Sky Sports: It’s obviously the perfect start for us. I was so happy with the way the guys came out of the gate. They got leads early on which is paramount in matchplay.

It's an amazing start but we know the US will be hungry to come back for more. We needto keep our foot firmly on the pedal.

On making sure everyone features on the first day: "We have faith in all 12 players and wanted everyone out on the course. That was the plan all along. Team has great unity, they are very fired up and what a great start."

Interesting to see how Max Homa and Wyndham Clark shape up.

Two rookies on the Ryder Cup scene, but both with big wins on the CV and bags full of self-confidence.

Homa didn't have the easiest of mornings alongside Brian Harman and starts by pushing his opening drive into the first cut of rough on the left.

Clark, who won the US Open earlier this year, hits the short stuff.

MacIntyre settles the nerves by finding the first fairway with a low drill off the peg, Rose creams his drive down the middle.

Off they go...

Up on the second hole, Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton are in for par.

Can the Americans take advantage? Jordan Spieth makes four too so Justin Thomas has an opportunity to win from 18 feet.

No, it pushes past. Europe retain their lead in this match.

Image source, Reuters

How about that for a start from Nicolai Hojgaard as he lands a bomb on the first for birdie to win the hole!

There are three major winners in this group but it's the young Dane who takes the hole - maybe using a little course knowledge as a previous Italian Open winner on this track.

What a stat!

What a moment for Bob MacIntyre.

The 27-year-old Scot hopes this will be the first of many Ryder Cup appearances and has an experienced partner in his ear for his debut.

Justin Rose is back after missing out in 2021, defending a record of 13-8-2 against the US.

A roar as loud as one from the Stadio Olimpico ultras greets the pair as they walk out on to the first tee.

Image source, Getty Images

We heard earlier about Europe not having led after the opening session of the Ryder Cup since 2006.

Well, in that same 2006 Ryder Cup Europe went on to win EVERY session - the only time that's happened for either side.

And as we head into the fourballs, here's how it stands in terms of matches won between Europe and the USA in that format.

Europe: 77

USA: 64

Halved: 27

Lap up the morning's action.

Monster drives from this quartet on the par-four second.

Three safely on the fairway while Jordan Spieth is in the first cut as he weighs up his next shot.