The half on the seventh - the first of the match - means the European pair maintain their two-hole lead.

But they're facing a battle on the eighth.

Hovland is left with too much to do and drags his par putt left.

Chance for the Americans to claw one back...

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

There is what can only be described as Euro pop blaring out from speakers to the right of the seventh tee, which already has hefty queues of people after an early/morning bite to eat and some liquid refreshment!

How Jon Rahm hit his tee shot so close there…

Image source, BBC Sport

Speaking of happy humming...

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

There’s a happy hum around Marco Simone right now with Europe up in all four.

Not that I want to put a dampener on things, but the US women made this kind of start at the Solheim last week and we all know what happened there.

Another chance for Fleetwood Mac to nab another hole... it's a tough one and few were really expecting Tommy Lad to convert a long eagle effort from the fringe beneath the cup.

Should be enough for a half, though... yep, McIlroy knocks in for a birdie.

The Americans have done the same which means that's a half.

More problems for America's first duo of Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns up on nine.

There's really no reason for Burns to plonk it in the water from the middle of the fairway but he's completely miscued and the ripples confirm his worst fears.

Another tantalising opportunity for the Europeans.

Viktor Hovland is arguably the form player in the world right now - and he's showing why today.

A lovely approach on the par-three seventh leaves Ludvig Aberg with a sniff of a birdie to win the hole... close but not close enough.

By the way, another Fleetwood Mac pun might have seemed obvious when McIlroy put Europe ahead in all four matches.

You know, a start which Dreams are made of.

That is a emotional break-up song, though, and Luke Donald is hoping these pairings are the start of something longer lasting.

Andrew: When I'm reading about Fleetwood Mac's tee shots, tell me lies, tell me sweet fairway lies

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

The name of the game is to stay ahead of the play when following any Rory McIlroy match. There are hundreds of media, photographers, friends and family and general hangers on.

BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter was up by the green before Fleetwood hit the pin seeker so he was in the perfect spot to call it into the hole.

Image source, BBC Sport

That's an outstanding approach from Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler can get the Americans level in this match if he sinks from 10 feet.

It doesn't drop and a chance goes begging. He knows it as well.

Europe stay one up.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

Image source, BBC Sport

Bet you can't guess who Mike, Paul and Aaron are here to support?

They are staying in Umbria to the north east of the course having arrived from Philadelphia at the start of the week.

There's a little bit of uncertainty when I ask how things are going to go down over the next three days," It's "a tough course," says Mike. "I'm not sure it really plays to the strength of our players."

And what about the first match of the morning and Scottie Scheffler's well-publicised putting problems...?

"We were on the same flight over as Scottie's dad. He said ,'it'll all be fine and he'll be okay on the greens this week,'" adds Mike.

Chance missed for the Europeans as Tyrrell Hatton's 10-foot birdie putt dribbles past.

Now then world number one. Scottie Scheffler checks out a six-foot putt to tie the hole.

We mentioned earlier about his new putting coach - and Phil Kenyon will allow himself a smile as Scheffler sinks it.

America will be hoping that's the first of many clutch putts from their leading light.

Image source, Getty Images

Rome is BLUE!

McIlroy strides after his ball immediately after contact, knowing he's nailed the birdie putt.

That comes moments after Cantlay can't apply more pressure from distance.

Europe lead - in all four matches. What a start for Luke Donald and his men!

Fleetwood on the fourth tee... get on your dancing shoes!

He's hit the floor on the par-three and McIlroy could be booging his way to a birdie.

With Cantlay having a tougher effort from further out, the Europe fans are getting giddy...

Not quite all blue but not far off...

Image source, BBC Sport

That's a nerve-settler for Ludvig Aberg.

The young Swede coolly rattles in a putt on the sixth, reclaiming his pairing's two-hole lead.

The moment that got Europe going this morning.

Image source, Getty Images

Shane Lowry does his best to retrieve the damage and almost holes out from the penalty area after Sepp Straka finds the water.

Rickie Fowler does the necessary to set up Collin Morikawa who tidies up.

America nibble back.