Gleneagles (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Webb Simpson of the United States hit the first ball of the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles on Friday with Europe aiming to make it six wins out of seven in the biennial team event.
The conditions were chilly, but the reception was hot as the European pair of Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson stepped out of the players' tunnel leading to a packed first tee.
Simpson came out with reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson. The pair were playing together for a fourth time in the Ryder Cup.
Rose of England and Stenson of Sweden were playing together for the first time.
The match was one of four fourball encounters marking the opening morning's action. The afternoon will see four foursomes, or alternate ball, games.