Ryder Cup Friday: fourball gallery

Some images from the first day's play in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles

Below and above, we take a look at some images from the first day's play in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

After huge anticipation, the 40th edition of the biennial contest finally got underway with huge galleries present in Perthshire.

European captain Paul McGinley and American counterpart Tom Watson each selected their opening fourball pairings at yesterday's Ryder Cup opening ceremony.

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson took on Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson in the first match, with Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer up against Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker in the second.

European talisman Ian Poulter teamed up with Scottish debutant Stephen Gallacher to play US rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed in the third, while the final pairing saw Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia pitted against the undefeated duo of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley.

Simpson hit the first shot for the USA, with his three-wood coming off the top of the club and barely making it to the fairway.

It was a sign of thing to come, with Rose and Stenson putting their foot down early on and running out 5&4 winners.

Bjorn and Kaymer also made a good start, but Poulter/Gallacher slipped to 5 down after 10 holes and eventually lost 5&4.

In the final match, things were all square at the turn.

Ryder Cup Friday images:

Justin Rose hits the first tee shot for the Europeans

The teams were given a raucous reception on the first tee

McGinley gives Rose and Stenson some encouragement as they head down the 1st

Veteran Thomas Bjorn acknowledges the crowd as he heads to the first tee

Gallacher and Poulter's morning deteriorated quickly after the first tee shots

Last-minute words of advice for Reed and Spieth

Stenson and Rose looked in complete control throughout their match

Garcia celebrates after holing a bunker shot

Beautiful Gleneagles

American supporters show their patriotism