Justin Rose is ‘delighted’ after stopping Team USA from getting any ‘red on the board’ at the Ryder Cup, while Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick revel in Europe’s dominance on day one

• Team Europe produced a totally dominant performance on day one in Rome
• Luke Donald’s side stormed to a 6 1/2 – 1 1/2 opening day Ryder Cup score
• 40-year-old Justin Rose hailed Europe’s performance as USA crumbled
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here 

Justin Rose got his moment on the 18th hole during the opening day of the Ryder Cup to cap off a dominant performance for Team Europe against an underwhelming Team USA.

The 40-year-old is the only player in that age bracket competing in Rome and his experience was telling when he stepped up to salvage half a point in the afternoon’s final fourball.

American duo Max Homa and Wyndham Clark should have handed the visitors their first whole digit of the day but miss-putted on the 17th before further misery on the final hole.

Rose capitalised to sink his effort on the green and the veteran expressed his ‘delight’ at not letting USA get their first red mark on the scoreboard.

‘I am delighted we got something out of that game. We fought really, really hard,’ Rose told Sky Sports.

Justin Rose rescued a tie for Europe in the day’s final session at the Ryder Cup to prevent USA from getting their first whole point win

Max Homa (left) and Wyndham Clark (right) spurned a golden opportunity to salvage a win for USA on the final hole

‘I didn’t want to let us be the ones that got red on the board all day long.’

Meanwhile, European team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick hailed Luke Donald’s side for their dominance and praised Rory McIlroy for helping him get his first Ryder Cup point in the last three editions of the tournament.

The 29-year-old has endured difficult Ryder Cup outings in the past but was on the winning side on day one as Team Europe built on their 4-0 opening session to add two-and-a-half further points in the afternoon.

Team Europe are on top after establishing the joint-highest opening day score in Ryder Cup history and Fitzpatrick insisted he ‘could not be happier’. 

‘For me personally it is one of the greatest days I’ve ever had on a golf course. It was very special from the moment I knew I was partnered with this man (McIlroy),’ he said.

‘To get off to the start we did, I could not be happier,’ he added.

Rory McIlroy (middle) and Matt Fitzpatrick (right) starred in the afternoon session

Fitzpatrick was helped to his first Ryder Cup win after three previous missed attempts

McIlroy was almost in tears when Europe were thrashed by Team USA in the last Ryder Cup at Whistling Straights two-years ago, and showed he was here to seek revenge against Team USA.

The Northern Irishman won both of his fourballs on day one and couldn’t hide his excitement at the end of play.

‘Absolutely amazing. For nine holes I was just trying to hang onto this man’s coat-tails,’ he said.

‘We had to hang on and hit some solid shots down the stretch but a great day in front of some amazing home fans,’ he added.

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