Golfers from the USA will take a 5-3 lead into the second morning of the Ryder Cup after dominating the afternoon fourballs at the Medinah Country Club.

The team was led by the brilliant partnership of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley as they hosts took three of the four points on offer after lunch.

An inspired Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson also helped open an advantage.

The two teams had been locked together at 2-2 after the morning foursomes.

The Northern Irish pairing of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy picked up Europe’s first point and Ian Poulter and Justin Rose providing the second.

However, with Poulter controversially rested for the better-ball format, Davis Love’s side accelerated away in the afternoon.

Watson and Simpson beat the unhappy pairing of Peter Hanson and Paul Lawrie 5&4, while McDowell and McIlroy were beaten by the charging Mickelson and Bradley.
Friday afternoon fourballs

With eight more points on offer when the foursomes and fourball formats are repeated on Saturday and 12 during Sunday’s singles, the contest is a long way from over.