Wherever he sprays it off the tee, Jordan Spieth is still a short game magician and he's just played a sublime long bunker shot here on the eighth as the USA look to build on that stroke of fortune that gave them the last.

Surely Matthew Fitzpatrick has got to land a putt soon?

None from memory have been mega close, but we've got high expectations after yesterday's sink-a-thon.

Another chance on the seventh green... a putt which follows a line which looks to have been drawn with the help of a ruler.

No movement.

That's a par, which Cantlay matches for the half.

It's a decent walk from the ninth green to the 10th tee and Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa are given a salutory pat on the arm by team-mate Brooks Koepka on their way through.

The five-time major winner was rested (benched?) for the fourball this afternoon and will be predatorily eyeing a point in tomorrow's singles.

As long as his mates do their best this afternoon that is.

On the ninth, Tommy Fleetwood is in grass which is thicker and lusher than his beautiful mane.

Yes, it's true. Hard to believe, but true.

Remember, this is the only European pairing in the blue at the moment.

Rory McIlroy goes on the attack, cracking one straight at the pin but not getting any check. Looks like a chip back.

Don't worry, Matt Fitzpatrick can grab the putter.

He's on the green, which is something Wyndham Clark can only dream of after going way out right in the rough.

Patrick Cantlay needs to come to the rescue, but he's done similar to McIlroy.

OK, so the first match has hit the halfway point and as things stand, it is looking more promising for the US team.

The biggest recovery in Ryder Cup history on Sunday was Europe in 2012 and the American team at Brookline in 1999 when they came back from 10-6 during the singles.

Indeed, the "Miracle at Medinah" required the Europeans to recover from 10-4 during the Saturday PM session.

Will Europe have a bigger lead than 10-6 after the fourballs this afternoon?

Thumbs please.

Image source, Getty Images

Wince.

Viktor Hovland's putt drifts round the right of the cup and he knows that has gifted Collin Morikawa a real opportunity.

The Californian has been Robin to Sam Burns' Batman but he steps up here from four and a half feet.

Four up at the turn.

It's been a little grisly coming down the ninth since those decent tee shots and now Sam Burns has a chance to pocket himself a birdie and turn the heat up on Viktor Hovland.

If he misses, Collin Morikawa will slot so he can give this some juice from 17 feet. He thinks it's good but as he bends to celebrate, it strays slightly wide.

Your turn, Viktor.

Nice knock from Max Homa, who actually needs to chip from the back of the eighth green.

Almost drops like it's hot.

That will do for a par and Tommy Fleetwood follows suit with two putts.

Another half and the Americans maintain their healthy advantage.

While Rory McIlroy's driver has been lethal, his irons have been a touch wayward.

He ends up in the bunker on the sixth, but splashes from the sand with the same enthusiasm of a toddler on Blackpool beach with a bucket and spade.

That leaves a par putt, meaning Matt Fitzpatrick - in the middle of the green - can win it with a birdie.

The Yorkshireman could not miss from close range on the front nine yesterday but hasn't found his range today.

A pair of pars are matched by Wyndham Clark, meaning the Europeans stay one up.

And wouldn't you just know it - Robert MacIntyre pulls his short putt and it curls away from the hole.

Justin Thomas doesn't need a second invitation and pounces on that huge stroke of fortune to hole out and take the lead.

That's matchplay in a nutshell folks.

Image source, Getty Images

The USA are bringing sexy golf back this afternoon.

They're definitely looking a bit more 'NSYNC' with each other as a team in fourballs anyway.

The reason for those agonisingly bad puns is, of course, that Justin Timberlake has made his way to Rome to watch the Ryder Cup.

The singer is a huge golf nut, and once put his name to a PGA Tour event, and has recently opened a golf-themed sports bar in New York in partnership with Tiger Woods no less..

Fore! Go the shouts as Justin Thomas is way off target on the seventh and his ball sails into the thick rough down the right of the hole.

But wait, it takes two huge bounces, dives out and heads back down the green to within about three feet of the hole!

Hard to explain that one - and with Justin Rose in the water but Robert MacIntyre nice and close Europe thought they had this one sewn up before that huge stroke of luck.

The tiniest fleck of white is visible for Sam Burns as he surveys where his tee shot landed. Just get out of there and take your medicine.

He does, and just gets himself out of trouble and onto the fairway.

Collin Morikawa in the best shape after shot two - he can already start weighing up a 50-foot putt for eagle.

Max Homa might play tomorrow in a Captain America outfit, with Brian Harman dressed as Bucky Barnes.

These two have been superheroes for their struggling side today.

That point earned this morning could be so valuable, especially if the American momentum continues with three or more points this afternoon.

On eight, they both clear the water with their second shots but then watch Tommy Fleetwood go even more direct.

Go 'head, Tommy la.

Trouble for Sam Burns on the ninth as he crunches his drive way left and into the thick Italian countryside. When he locates his ball, he'll look up and see a huge tree blocking his progress too.

Better news for the others, with Ludvig Aberg weighing up a really tantalising look at the green, albeit 250 yards away,

Justin Rose is feeling it now - as he follows up that solid putt on the last with a spectacular one on the sixth, from about 20 feet, to win the hole and level the match up at all square.

Rory McIlroy is purring! A humdinger of a drive on the par-four fifth leaves with a decent glance at an eagle.

First, Wyndham Clark goes for the same outcome... but he can't land that from way out.

Now then Rory, what you got? He confidently landed a hole-winning putt on the last, but this one does not have the same certainty around it.

Pushed it.

Threes all round.