(CNN)The US made a perfect start in its bid to reclaim the Ryder Cup Friday -- but Europe served notice that it will not easily loosen its eight-year stranglehold on international golfing dominance.
Darren Clarke's defending champions battled back from the ignominy of a 4-0 whitewash in the morning foursomes matches at Hazeltine to end the opening day of the team contest just two points behind after rallying in the fourballs contests.
How Europe became a Ryder Cup force
Rose and Stenson led the comeback with the opening point, but Brandt Snedeker -recalled after missing the 2014 defeat -- and debutant Brooks Koepka thrashed two-time major winner Kaymer and new partner Danny Willett. Willett, who won his first major title at April's Masters, received predictable flak from the crowd following the article his brother wrote during the week that labeled US fans as "imbeciles." The veteran Garcia -- this time teamed with fellow Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello, making his debut -- won 3 & 2 against the new US pairing of Ryan Moore and JB Holmes to close the gap once again. McIlroy and Pieters then wrapped up the day with a 3 & 2 victory over Dustin Johnson
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