Europe's Justin Rose has expressed his joy at being able to secure two Ryder Cup points alongside Henrik Stenson on day one's fourballs and foursomes at Gleneagles.
The pair were picked by captain Paul McGinley to take part in both sessions in Scotland and they delivered this morning with a 5&4 win over the USA's Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson.
They returned to the course in this afternoon's fourballs and earned another point for Europe with a 2&1 victoryover Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson.
"It's been really really special," Rose told Sky Sports News. "The captain put a lot of faith in me and Henrik today and going out first this morning and keeping us together. For us to firstly play fourballs together and then gel - I thought we were really good today. It was a great day, really enjoyed it."
Europe Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes that his team showed "real strength of character" to fight back from a losing position this morning to end day one at Gleneagles with a 5-3 lead over the USA.
The defending champions suffered a one-point deficit following the fourballs session, but wins for Jamie Donaldsonand Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson and Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell gave Europe the lead.
Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia also fought back to earn half a point over Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.
"We have seen in Ryder Cups over the years how important momentum is and we showed real strength of character to respond to that American surge and get blue back on the board inside six holes," BBC Sport quotes McGinley as saying.
"I think that Sergio Garcia's and Rory McIlroy's halve was as a good as a win, two out of three for the rookies was not bad and now we have to maintain that momentum."
McGinley and USA captain Tom Watson are due to announce their pairings for tomorrow's action within the next hour.
Graeme McDowell has paid tribute to teammate Victor Dubuisson after the duo ended Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley's unbeaten run at the Ryder Cup.
McDowell holed a 15-foot putt to ensure that he and Dubuisson gave Europe a 5-3 lead going into Saturday's play, and the Northern Irishman believes that the Frenchman can become "the next superstar in Europe" after his opening display in the competition.
The 35-year-old told Sky Sports News: "It was a long wait this morning having to wait and sit out watching the boys play, but Victor and I were really fired up for the afternoon.
"One thing about my Ryder Cup experiences is that I always get great partners. I've played with Rory McIlroy in the last couple but Victor is the next superstar in Europe. This kid is really, really good."
The action will resume on Saturday morning when the second round of fourballs gets underway at 7.35am.
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