MEDINAH, Illinois: Europe withstood an incredible onslaught by the United States in the opening afternoon fourballs as the hosts took a 5-3 advantage after the opening day's play in the Ryder Cup, Eurosport reported..

Only one of the greatest Ryder Cup debuts of all time by Nicolas Colsaerts saved Europe from a whitewash in the fourballs, the Belgian making eight birdies and an eagle to keep Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker at bay as Europe won the final match of the day on the 18th green.

The visiting side was sent reeling by a barrage of birdies from their hosts as the fourballs got going, with captain Davis Love III's tactics of setting up the course to yield plenty of birdies appeared to suit the American players.

Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley were the day's best performers as they followed their morning foursomes win with a 2&1 victory over Rory McIlroy and Keegan Bradley.

Big-hitting duo Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson were in irresistible form for the home side, blitzing the luckless Paul Lawrie and Peter Hanson by birdieing seven of the first eight holes on their way to a 5&4 victory.

Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar also outplayed Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer, though Kaymer's terrible form left Rose on his own trying to hang on hole after hole before succumbing 3&2.

Colsaerts was left similarly in the lurch by playing partner Lee Westwood, but the 29-year-old rookie holed an astonishing series of putts as well as making the day's only eagle - and even some of Woods's finest golf at the end of the round was not enough to prevent Europe finally taking a point from the fourballs.

It was Woods's second defeat of the day.

The Americans will be heartened after dominating almost throughout the day, but equally they will be left wondering how they have not put more daylight between them and their opponents heading into today's second day.

- mD