US sweeps Europe to seize command of Ryder Cup

Minnesota: The United States swept Europe 4-0 in Friday`s opening Ryder Cup alternate shot foursomes matches, only the third time the US squad has whitewashed their European rivals in the first session.

Phil Micklelson and Rickie Fowler won three of the last four holes to claim a 1-up victory over world number three Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and England`s Andy Sullivan in the biggest late switch of the morning.

PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker and two-time major champion Zach Johnson were trailing for 10 holes in a row but captured the final five in a 4-and-2 comeback triumph over Spain`s Sergio Garcia and Germany`s Martin Kaymer.

In an emotional first match between duos that had gone unbeaten at Gleneagles two years ago, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed ripped Olympic champion Justin Rose of England and British Open champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden 3 and 2.

US Open winner Dustin Johnson and Olympic bronze medalist Matt Kuchar won five of the first eight holes and closed out England`s Lee Westwood and Belgium`s Thomas Pieters 5 and 4.

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Pairings for Friday afternoon`s four-ball matches at the 41st Ryder Cup between Europe and the United States (all times local, five hours off GMT):

12:30 p.m. (1930 GMT) - Jordan Spieth/Patrick Reed (USA) v Justin Rose (ENG)/Henrik Stenson (SWE)

12:45 - J.B. Holmes/Ryan Moore (USA) v Sergio Garcia (ESP)/Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)

1:00 - Brandt Snedeker/Brooks Koepka (USA) v Martin Kaymer (GER)/Danny Willett (ENG)

1:15 - Dustin Johnson/Matt Kuchar (USA) v Rory McIlroy (NIR)/Thomas Pieters (BEL)

Sitting out for United States: Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson

Sitting out for Europe: Chris Wood (ENG), Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG), Lee Westwood (ENG), Andy Sullivan (ENG)