Image source, AP

It hasn't been that pretty so far this morning. Perhaps the nerves are getting to both sides. McDowell is in the bunker for three on the third but Spieth finds the centre of the green. Still some work to do for both to save par though.

As expected Stenson goes one up over Reed after two. A hole to forget for the young American.

Justin Rose has been in stunning form so far with three wins and a fighting half yesterday afternoon. He isn't so happy with his start today as he finds the rough on the right on the first. Looks to be fine though. Hunter Mahan is safely away.

John via text: Rickie Fowler is a great match-play golfer, his singles match with Rory will be a Ryder Cup classic.

Nicolas Colsaerts
Belgium's 2012 Ryder Cup player on BBC Radio 5 live

That's a shaky start for Fowler, that was a good chance. Rickie's not going to like that at all.

Fowler duffs his chip from the back of the first and McIlroy drains his birdie putt. Advantage world number one.

Europe up

Image source, Reuters

Europe strike straight back as McIlroy rolls in a birdie on the first. Fowler had fluffed his third from the edge of the green, hitting the floor first, and Rory shows no mercy.

Meanwhile Patrick Reed is in all sorts of trouble on the second. He has chipped across the green and is in now the bunker for four. Looks like Stenson is about to go one up.

USA up

First blow to the United States. Spieth continues his impressive Ryder Cup debut by rolling home a birdie from eight feet on two. McDowell can't make his and Americans are one up.

'Go Rickie' is screamed by a sole American voice from the crowd and go he does as he lands his approach on one on the edge of the green. McIlroy does even better though as he sets up a very makeable birdie.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Gleneagles

"Patrick Reed may be a rookie but he's got bags of attitude and is taking the fight to the Euro fans. They shout 'fore' at the end of each practice swing but he eventually stops midway, looks up and wags his finger. A bit of cheeky chat too, but he won't do a dance. Henrik Stenson is called upon to do one and obliges with some sort of '80s effort."

McDowell is short with his second on two as his pitch from the rough leaves him a long putt for birdie. Should have done better there.

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 live commentator at Gleneagles

Henrik Stenson was mouthing the words to his new song on the first tee, you had to laugh.

Get your ABBA outfit on this Sunday am, have a listen to the Henrik Stenson song, and enjoy the golf.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Rory McIlroy does a little jig on the first tee - a little premature perhaps? Fowler's eyes look glazed with a steely determination but that doesn't stop him finding the left rough. McIlroy, yet to really shine at Gleneagles, is in perfect position on the fairway as chants of Europe start up again.

Stenson solidly out of the bunker on one but Reed cranks up the pressure by putting his shot from the sand stone dead. A tester for the Swede coming up. No mistakes from big Henrik though as he rolls home for a half.

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Gleneagles

Image source, Getty Images

This could be a first - not that Sir Alex Ferguson is by the first tee, having delivered the rabble-rousing pre-Cup speech to the European team, but that when the crowd ask him to a dance, he actually complies. Quite grandad at wedding, if you 're interested in his form. 'Come back Fergie!" implores one sad-voiced Red.

US captain Tom Watson has no fears about youngsters Spieth and Reed leading the charge: "The old guys are the players who have the nerves. Everybody on the team has belief. Last night in the team room the spirit was really high and the main thing I said is everybody stay focused on their match. I told them to concentrate on the early holes and get some red on the board."

And on Mickelson, Watson added: "Phil is definitely fired up today; he's got that look in his eye."

Another American ball in the right hand bunker around the first green as Reed follows Spieth into the trap. Chance for Stenson? Nope, he is also in the same bunker. A busy day for the man with the rake perhaps.

BBC Radio 5 live

ESPN analyst and former caddie Michael Collins: "Tom Watson won't be allowed in the United States for a little while. He's wondering if he can take up Canadian citizenship.

"There's always a chance. But part of the problem, you've got to be liquid and change things. Tom said on Thursday the guys that play well on Friday morning will play in the afternoon. Guess who went out and played well? That was mistake number one."

Rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed were the form men for the away side in Friday's morning fourballs, downing Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher 5&4. They didn't figure in Friday afternoon's foursomes, leaving many Americans wondering why. The duo combined nicely on Saturday as well, winning their fourballs and halving their foursomes.

Spieth is first out in the singles and Reed is second out.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob G on text: Despite leading 10-6, let us not forgot that only 3 of those points came from best ball! The Americans will be licking their lips at the prospect of taking on players that have been well below sub par over 18 holes (Poults, Gallacher, Kaymer, Bjorn, Sergio). With most if then in the middle order, those first games are looking crucial for either side.

Spieth holes a clutch putt for par as the first is halved. Good recovery from the American.

Spieth though is in trouble from his tee shot on two as he goes wayward to the right. McDowell just off the fairway.

Henrik Stenson and Patrick Reed make the almost gladiatorial walk to the first tee. America captain Tom Watson has put his faith in his youngest players first after their impressive performances this week. Reed though finds the rough on the left on the first while Stenson smashes one down the middle. Europe have started well.

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

Both captains will be saying 'remember Medinah' for different reasons. Tom Watson because 'We can still do it'. McGinley because 'Do not think the guy behind you can win the Ryder Cup. You are the guy who can win the Ryder Cup'. That's I think why he's started with Graeme McDowell, that never say die spirit.