Ryder Cup notebook: Rory McIlroy having a bad day

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — Rory McIlroy was the only player to not make a birdie in the morning foursomes at the Ryder Cup, and he has gotten off to a bad start in the afternoon foursomes.

McIlroy and Ian Poulter, who sat out the fourballs, have slipped to 2-down against Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson after five holes of the foursomes at Le Golf National. It is the only match the Americans are leading.

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The Europeans are 2-up in two of the matches.

U.S. takes early lead

The United States has a 3-1 lead after the opening session of the Ryder Cup.

Jordan Spieth rolled in a testy 3-footer for par at the 18th hole to close out a 1-up victory over Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton.

Also earning points for the Americans: Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau pulled off an improbable 1-up triumph over Justin Rose and Jon Rahm, while Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler cruised to a 4-and-2 victory over Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen.

Coming off a victory at the Tour Championship, Tiger Woods lost in his first Ryder Cup appearance since 2012. He and Patrick Reed dropped a 3-and-1 decision to Tommy Fleetwood and British Open champion Francesco Molinari.

Woods' career record in the Ryder Cup dropped to 13-18-3.

While the Americans have the edge, the Europeans are used to coming from behind. They haven't led after an opening session since 2006.

Tiger sitting out afternoon

Tiger Woods is sitting out the afternoon foursomes on the opening day of the Ryder Cup. McIlroy will play, though, despite not making a birdie in his loss in the fourballs.

The foursomes lineup:

Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose vs. Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler

Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter vs. Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson

Sergio Garcia and Alex Noren vs. Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau

Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood vs. Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth

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