Stephen Gallacher has taken his time to get his feet under the Ryder Cup table, but that is more like it. His approach on eight sticks like velcro and he will have a four-footer for a birdie. Spieth and Reed are on the green but with more to do, Poulter off the dancefloor and out of contention.

Image source, Getty Images

It is all looking boxfresh out at Gleneagles. The fairways pristine, the greens sparkling and the air 80% oxygen.

But what is the view where you are? Out on the course, back at home, send us your view via #bbcrydercup.

Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent on Radio 5 live

The Americans have gone the entire front nine without a birdie. Webb Simpson was furious with that missed birdie attempt.

Europe up

Webb Simpson screws his birdie putt on nine a good foot wide. His short game has been short on quality today. As has his long.

Henrik Stenson shows him the way home, draining his own effort from a little closer in.

Europe three up at the turn in the leading group.

Bernard Gallacher
Three-time European Ryder Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live

Both Americans are from Texas so they're used to playing in wind. It's starting to whip up now. When it gets to three down it takes a big effort to get it back. They need to step up their game.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Gleneagles

Tempers fraying a touch as Phil Mickelson snaps at a TV crew walking off the sixth tee. Keegan Bradley's caddie Pepsi warns the cameraman not to get too close, but he has an earpiece in and can't hear. So Mickelson piles in too. "Just cover the golf," he shouts. "Don't interfere."

USA up

The two American rookies thrown to Ian "Mr 80%" Poulter? It was supposed to Ryder Cup fodder for Europe.

It hasn't turned out that way. Poulter is misfiring, Gallacher looks nervous and Jordan Spieth sinks the putt that puts the US of A three to the good after seven.

Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent on Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson should be out of sight against Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, they've had chance after chance. We're now on the mammoth par-five ninth.

Martin Kaymer with a stinker of a bunker shot on eight, flies back over the tee-side edge of the green to leave Thomas Bjorn on a solo mission.

The Dane downs his five-footer to help his mate out of a hole Still two to the good.

Rory takes a good, long look at his birdie putt on six. But he fails to decipher the hieroglyphics of the green. Past the right lip.

Phil Mickelson rinks his putt to win the hole all the way around the rim though and that is a let-off for Team Europe,

Democracy in action on the right-hand side of this page. You can vote for which team will be ahead by the end of today. You have until 14:15 BST, when the final pairing heads out this afternoon, to make your decision.

Bernard Gallacher
Three-time European Ryder Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live

There's only one European player in the hole on each hole and that's not good enough for the Ryder Cup.

Gallacher's nephew Stephen is making his Ryder Cup debut this week. Gallacher played in eight Ryder Cups before his captaincy in the 1990s.

"C'mon baby," says Phil Mickelson off the tee and his sweet nothings do the trick, coaxing the ball towards the flag.

Partner Keegan Bradley finds a little pocket of form, pumping his own opener up onto the green.

Both are better placed than Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy. Some more magic hands might be needed to keep Europe ahead.

This is the view for Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy and their American opponents...

6th (Mickle Skelp)

Image source, Getty Images

Par three, 201 yards

There is a bunker on the left of the green and a water hazard short. Accuracy is crucial from the tee.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Gleneagles

US skipper Tom Watson holds the rope for me as we both nip from the fifth fairway up to watch the tee shots of Poulter & co on the 6th. Watson gets an update on proceedings from vice-captain Andy North, though he doesn't relay them back to me.

All seems very relaxed. Poulter winks to a mate in the crowd, tee shots are dispatched and we bid them on their way. Tom and I stroll back to McIlroy's group. Although Tom gets a lift.

Patrick Reed, with the touch of a pickpocket, sinks a long-range birdie putt for two on six.

Ian Poulter's salvage operation almost comes up trumps, but his put trails past the left edge and the damage is done. Europe two down through six in this one

Phil Mickelson with a snaking great monster of a birdie putt to try and win the hole. Up it rolls, but up it stays...

Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia are going to ask him to tap out for his par, which he does from four feet or so.

Europe are scrambling a bit with McIlroy having to take a drop with his backswing blocked by the trunk of a tee. Up to Sergio...

And the Spaniard strokes in to keep it even stevens through five. A matey arm around the shoulder of McIlroy from Garcia as they stroll onto the sixth.

Andrew Magee
American golfer on BBC Radio 5 live

"There are some clear gaps in this team. Billy Horschel is the hottest player right now. Horschel and Chris Kirk deserve this. Should the captain's picks be decided after the FedEx Cup? Simpson was picked because he's a good partner for Bubba Watson but he needs to prove that right now."

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

Image source, PA

"Ian Poulter, a little like the weather conditions, is gently warming up. He's giving us grounds for optimism."

Martin Kaymer at the seventh, gets his ball up onto the top tier of the green and with Rickie Fowler still down on the lower deck and and Jimmy Walker on the fringe, this might be a chance to build Europe's lead in their match.