Image source, BBC Sport

It has felt a bit like going into the ‘Dragon’s Den’ for Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas so far.

Tommy Fleetwood, who has a scoring rate of 67% when it comes to the Ryder Cup is looking mightily impressive and Rory McIlroy is of course the world number two.

Just as well Peter Jones from the BBC reality series is following the group round, albeit pitching takes on a whole new meaning with the British entrepreneur.

“It’s fantastic. I can’t believe Europe have got off to such a fast start on both days,” he says.

The only European on the entire course that isn't happy right now is Tyrrell Hatton after missing from only about four feet that would have put them two up.

It could have been worse too if Xander Schauffele's long-range putt had rolled an inch further.

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

The third green is out at one of the far extremities of the course and that means only a few fans make it out here. A rare bit of tranquility for the players.

US skipper Zach Johnson is here though, nudging his way in front of me to get a better view.. Arms folded, looking quite concerned as he watches Cantlay and Schauffele take three from the edge off the geeen. Hatton can’t sink the hole winner but Zach’s face shows nothing.

Image source, Reuters

Now then, there is some fight in the third pair from the Americans.

Max Homa rolls in a birdie and, with Shane Lowry missing from three feet, the US can get themselves a bit of red.

One up again.

OK then Jordan Spieth. The Texan owes his best mate one after gifting their hole straight back last time with his wayward tee shot.

Justin Thomas' response was a lasered approach into the seventh green. Missed.

You cannot miss those at the Ryder Cup and hope to win.

Europe stay three up.

This is getting ugly now. It's a putting competition after two great approaches but when Brooks Koepka misses from about 10 feet, Ludvig Aberg nails his from a couple of feet closer to move Europe five up.

That's five up. After six holes. Against America's big-name pairing.

Aberg gave it an aggressive fist pump after that one as well as the young man is really enjoying this round. He best get used to Ryder Cup action, it looks like he'll be playing it for years to come.

Two fine tee shots on the par-four fourth set up some birdies chances for this quartet.

When Sepp Straka misses his, Max Homa has the chance to get America moving from inside 10 feet.

Just lags right so the hole is halved.

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

Nobody down the right-hand side of the sixth fairway, where the media are walking had any idea if the American ball had been found or not there.

JT wasn’t for hanging around once he had clipped on in four mind. Very much all smiles for Europe and Luke Donald as his troops trot to the seventh with their three-hole advantage restored.

Image source, Getty Images

A formaility.

The US duo don't even make Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood putt.

We've seen this movie before...another splash of blue on the board as Tyrrell Hatton almost holes from a mile away on the second green, but they have two putts for it with the Americans making a bogey.

Viktor Hovland has the chance to win the hole from distance but it's a wickedly breaking putt with some speed on it so he doesn't go too strong with it and it's more of a lag than means Europe can halve that one.

Much better stuff from Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler with a nice birdie on this short par four that should settle them down a bit after an awful start.

Image source, BBC Sport

It's already looking a lot like yesterday.

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth did locate the ball but needed the opinion of two rules officials on whether it was embeddded.

After a looong discussion, and checking with Tommy Fleetwood who just stands by looking amused, Thomas takes the shot but it squirts sideways and he stands on it as he overbalances.

Spieth chunks his shot out but three shots down on this par-four sixth and they are still 130 yards away.

Another energy sapper for the US on the third hole as Sepp Straka tucks away a confident putt for a birdie.

Red duly zapped from the leaderboard.

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

I’m by the side of the second green. Jon Rahm has just pinged his ball into the heart of the green.

A huge cheer from behind us switched focus to the fourth. Sounds like a European has gone close. Cue frantic ferreting for phones in the crowd.

There are about 20 people searching for Jordan Spieth's tee shot on the sixth hole.

In his defence, he isn't that far off the fairway but the rough out there is hideous.

Way to sap that momentum.

Ludvig Aberg with a crackerjack of an iron shot on the fourth, absolutely striping one and just coming up a foot or so short of making a hole-in-one!

It has to be conceded for a two, and Scottie Scheffler then criminally leaves his birdie try short, only just, but if it's never up it's never in and USA go four down.

Before the first tee shot, I asked if Europe would clean sweep the morning session again.

If they did, they'd only need four more points to win the Ryder Cup!

And there are plenty of confident people out there.

Mark Chapman
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club

I saw a tweet yesterday that said, on the first tee, the Europeans look like they have been dating for two weeks and the Americans look like they have been married for 25 years.