Gleneagles (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Europe's top pairing of Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson opened play Saturday on the second day of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles looking to extend the hosts' 5-3 lead over the United States.
The Englishman and the Swede won both their fourballs and foursomes on Friday as Paul McGinley's men took 3 1/2 points out of a possible four in the afternoon to halt an early American charge.
Next up is a fourballs clash with Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar, a new US partnership flung together by skipper Tom Watson after both ended the first day pointless.
They would be followed by Friday foursomes winners Lee Westwood and Jamie Donaldson up against Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan and then Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer, who halved their opening fourballs, against strong rookie duo Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth.
The anchor match sees world number one Rory McIlroy back in harness with Ian Poulter versus Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler, who halved both their matches on Friday.
Ryder Cup firebrand Poulter was on the wrong end of 5 and 4 thumping on Friday morning, playing alongside home favourite Stephen Gallacher against Spieth and Reed.
McIlroy played twice in the company of world number three Sergio Garcia, but they were only able to take a half point by winning the last two holes against Fowler and Walker in the afternoon foursomes.
Europe needs to take 14 points to retain the trophy they have held since 2008, while the Americans need 14 1/2 to win for the first time on European soil since 1993.