Match one on the third, Simpson from the fairway, finding sand at the right of the bunker. He hasn't played a good shot yet.

McIlroy, new driver in hand for the first time, draws ooohs and aahs as he sends a monster down the middle, just short of the putting surface. Thunderous. It must be nice to the best in the world. At anything.

Here we go then, the most eye-catching of the morning matches. McIlroy and Garcia v Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley. Bradley, the man with two surnames and a permanent look of worry on his face, takes to the tee and doesn't like it. It's miles right. Mickelson, getting something of a mixed reception, is on the good stuff.

Image source, AP

USA captain Tom Watson on how the event has changed: "We didn't even have grandstands in 1977 - it was just the gallery ropes." Asked what made him choose debutants Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth, he adds: "Their play. Their attitudes. Both of them are very, very strong players with strong attitudes. What better way to start in the Ryder Cup than get out there and get some points."

Gary in London: Got goosebumps just reading the live text on way to work, not going to see much work out of me today.

Roger Young Darley Dale, Derbyshire: Golf exciting? Do us a favour, it is irrelevant compared to football, cricket, rugby league, NFL and darts.

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Wonderful scene on the first, the green of the trees behind the grandstand, with the magnificent clubhouse in the distance, all illuminated by the morning sunshine. "Ror-ry, Ror-ry," is the chant.

From nowhere, Europe lead in the top match. Both Rose and Stenson found rough off the tee, but Stenson's scrambling left him the chance of a four. Now, Watson has three-putted to make it double blue on the board. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia are coming through the tunnel.

Webb Simpson has the look of man who hasn't started well. His birdie putt creeps by. Henrik Stenson, though, is in for a four. Bubba has a six-footer for a half.

Image source, Nicolas Colsaerts

Medinah hero in 2012, Nicolas Colsaerts:, external His Airness...

Ian Poulter applauds the crowd after he blasts his drive down the middle. On the second, the first of the par fives, Justin Rose has a long putt for birdie, which falls just short. Bubba Watson, the monster hitter, is on the dancefloor in two.

First blood to Europe. Martin Kaymer's putt was conceded after that fine approach. Jimmy Walker had to hole from about 15 feet for a half, but it slipped by. Blue on the board for the first time. Back on the first tee, Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth have both found the fairway for the US.

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

Speaking about his nephew Stephen making his Ryder Cup debut in front of a home crowd: "It's been his lifetime ambition to make it and hats off to him. I asked him if it would make a difference if I walked around with him because he might see me. But he said no. So he's quite calm at this moment."

Europe captain Paul McGinley: "I'm very much in captaincy mode, it's about getting 14½ points. I've got two strong powerhouses at the front, it doesn't have to be Rory and Sergio. I've got a strategy for today and tomorrow. Have fun is the main thing - these moments will stay with these guys for the rest of their lives. It's an incredibly exhilarating, exciting place to be and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Martin Kaymer! His approach to the first lands feet from the hole, spinning back and orbiting the flag. He will have a four-footer for birdie and, probably, to put Europe one up.

The gloves that some of the Europeans are wearing are quite extraordinary. They are a cross between boxing gloves and oven gloves, the sort you might see an astronaut wear. Poulter, the perennial European hero, and Gallacher, the Scottish rookie, are greeted by songs from the crowd. Up ahead, Rickie Fowler has found the bunker to the right of the first green, which Thomas Bjorn has also missed.

Image source, Getty Images

The United States escape on the first, with Europe unable to take advantage. Two putts each for Rose and Stenson were matched by Bubba Watson. Back on the first tee, here come Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter.

Justin Rose has come up short with his birdie putt, while Jimmy Walker has become the first American to find the first fairway. Roars for the Viking Thomas Bjorn, who also finds the fairway, with Martin Kaymer then stepping up to follow the sun. White cap, blue trousers, blue jumper, the man who sealed the Cup for Europe two years ago gets off to a decent start.

Bubba Watson has tapped in for par. In this second match, the impressive hair of vice-captain Miguel Angel Jimenez will accompany the European pair. Miguel looks like he's struggling to work his radio. Rickie Fowler, the man with "U-S-A" shaved in his hair, is on the first tee, pulling his drive left.

Image source, Getty Images

Webb Simpson, by the way, managed to reach the green with his second, but a monster putt for birdie is well short. With Watson a long way away in two, Europe have a great chance of going one up. Back on the tee, Mother Nature is putting on a show. Wonderful sunshine casts longs shadows, while the crowd provide the soundtrack. Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer against Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker is about to begin.

Rory McIlroy is asked if Phil Mickelson's dig about the Northern Irishman's "litigation" with team-mate Graeme McDowell adds spice to their imminent fourball clash. "Of course it does, of course," says McIlroy, who adds: "It's going to be a great match. Obviously Keegan (Bradley) and Phil were unbeaten at Medinah, a very successful partnership, and Sergio (Garcia) and I are going to try and hand them a first defeat today."