Back on the first... both teams are just off the green in two, with McIlroy and Cantlay coming on to leave their partners with far-from-certain putts.

Schauffele confidently knocks in his effort first... pressure on to Fleetwood...

Pressure? Nah. He cans it without a second thought.

All square after the first.

We're still all square with the third group as Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka trade blows with Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa.

Similar second shots, similar slightly short putts, same outcome.

On we go to three.

Image source, PA Media

I was perhaps a bit premature on a tap-in birdie for Jon Rahm but from four feet he converts confidently.

A decent effort from Scottie Scheffler but it is not to be as his 21-foot putt skims the hole.

Two up for Europe.

But wait... Max Homa has other ideas. The American knocks in a sizeable birdie putt after being teed up nicely by Brian Harman!

That's one back and quietens the home fans somewhat.

Tyrrell Hatton's short game? Answer: A lot better than Sam Burns' for that shot.

He does have the benefit of going second and watching Burns come up way short with his chip.

He gives it more juice and rolls it down to the hole.

A tap-in birdie for Jon Rahm coming up and another tough putt ahead for Scottie Scheffler.

It has been a cracking start by the Scandi pair - have we got a nickname for these two yet? - but you don't win anything at 8:30am on the first morning.

However... this is so encouraging for the home fans. Hovland knocks a chip within tapping-in distance for Aberg.

Brian Harman gives it a look which kind of says: 'Are you having a laugh?!'

Hole five is a driveable par four and Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm both take aim.

Their balls land in almost an identical spot, 33 yards from the pin, in the first cut.

How's your short game, Tyrrell?

Image source, Getty Images

Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay are Team USA's big-hitter and they'll look to take down Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood in the anchor match - and they've got form.

They thrashed McIlroy and Ian Poulter 5&3 and beat Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick 2&1 in their two matches at the last Ryder Cup, before dishing out a 6&5 lesson to Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama at the Presidents Cup.

That's some serious form. And talk about having similar games, these two actually managed to tie for third in total strokes gained on the PGA Tour last season, even down to a few decimal points at 1.869!

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

In Paris it was the Molliwood show, this year it’s all about Fleetwood Mac.

“Rory, Rory, Rory…” it’s all about redemption this time around.

Another huge smile from Luuuuuuuuke as that Hovland putt disappears for another winning hole. This is going perfectly to plan so far.

The final match is away and the stands start to empty.

A few jeers as Cantlay and Schauffele are introduced, both men sheepishly waving to the crowd.

Cantlay pegs up and knocks his drive into the semi-rough on the left of the fairway.

Silence descends again seconds later. McIlroy to lead... he's in a similar spot on the opposite side of the fairway.

*KLAXON*

All four matches are on the course! Now the Ryder Cup party has really started.

A first look at Scottie Scheffler's putting, which has been his Achilles heel all season.

He's enlisted the help of esteemed coach Phil Kenyon in the past month to try and get him up to scratch.

Jon Rahm's birdie putt never looks like dropping while Sam Burns' fine tee shot on the fourth gives Scheffler eight feet to immediately strike back for the USA.

Nope, it's not going in. Europe remain one up.

Image source, Getty Images

Ooooh. Homa slides his par putt past the hole and it ain't stopping that quickly.

Another chance for this European pair.

Hovland's putter is already hot... how hot? Smoking hot!

From about nine feet, Hovland confidently nails his par putt, chasing after the ball almost as soon as it leaves his putter.

Image source, BBC Sport

He's Europe's big gun, but Rory McIlroy's recent form hasn't been the best in the Ryder Cup, as he's lost seven of his last 10 matches to leave him with a 50 percent win rate.

He'll want to improve on that this week in Rome.

Clutch putt time for this third group.

Sepp Straka chips it to eight feet but Shane Lowry is slightly off target with his putt and it drifts by.

Can Rickie Fowler capitalise? No, he scratches his ear as his effort slides past. Bogeys apiece and we're all square.

Those who watched Brian Harman plot his way around Hoylake know he isn't flustered by too much.

The Open champ knocks out of the bunker to leave Max Homa with a makeable putt for par.

Over to Europe... Ludvig Aberg slashes out of the rough - it gets pretty thick pretty quickly - that's a decent touch and gives Hovland a good look at the four.

Image source, Getty Images

The rumours were true... Fleetwood Mac are taking the stage in Rome.

Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy, as many predicted, are linking up for the first time at a Ryder Cup and they are Europe's headline act after being put together by Luke Donald.

Both men will have extra fire in their belly after the dismal showing at Whistling Straits.

Fleetwood was one of the stars when Europe last won in Paris five years ago, but did not get a winning point on the board in Wisconsin, while a tearful McIlroy said he "should have done more" after his team's thrashing in 2021.

"Anybody playing with Rory is going to be a great partnership," said Fleetwood.

"Our games gel well and we get on together very well. I can't wait to play alongside him."

A triumphant raise of the fist from captain Luke Donald on the first after watching that Rahm winner on the big screen like the rest of us.

He’s revelling in this first-tee atmosphere.

More blue on the leaderboard!

Europe's top dogs have come to play this morning.

An outstanding putt from Jon Rahm on the third turns deliciously right to left and drops into the hole.

A firm fist pump and Europe’s opening pair are into the lead.

Steady Viktor, don't get that adrenaline pumping too much.

After that perfect start by Hovland, he just pushes his approach on the second.

That's after Max Homa sticks his shot into the sand...