America won the opening session of the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1991.

The top foursomes finished 3-1 after Nick Faldo's Europe made early gains but failed to press home the advantage.

Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson birdied the opening hole and moved three clear with six to play but managed only a half with Phil Mickelson and cup newcomer Anthony Kim.

Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey won the first two holes but lost three and two to Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan.

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter were three up after seven holes on Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell, but had five bogeys after that and when the last came with a three-putt six from 12 feet on the 547-yard 18th they left empty-handed.

Even veterans Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood found themselves two down with two to play to Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry.

But the Americans bogeyed the 477-yard 17th and on the last Perry drove into the lake, letting their opponents escape with a half.

The result spoiled Garcia's perfect record in cup foursomes - he had won his previous eight - and left Westwood only one game away from equalling Arnold Palmer's 12-match record unbeaten run in cup history.

The day began with emotional scenes as boxing legend Muhammad Ali joined the golfers, bringing Europe captain Faldo to tears.

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