Ryder Cup: the best pictures from day one

Padraig Harrington gets the 37th Ryder Cup underway in front of an extremely vociferous crowd at Valhalla Photograph: Harry How/Getty

And it's first blood to Europe. Harrington sinks his birdie putt to put the reigning champions one up Photograph: David J Phillip/AP

USA! USA! The Kentucky crowd really are in great voice. Every good shot by the American players is greeted by huge cheers and the inevitable cry of 'get in the hole!' Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

The European fans are out in force too. And all this before 8am local time Photograph: Rob Carr/AP

Europe captain Nick Faldo looks on as his team take the early initiative Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

Anthony Kim discusses a putt with partner Phil Mickelson on the second hole Photograph: David J Phillip/AP

Controversial wildcard pick Ian Poulter indulges in some serious fist-pumping after holing a birdie attempt on the fourth Photograph: David Cannon/Getty

The gallery looks on as Phil Mickelson hits out of the rough at the seventh Photograph: David J Phillip/AP

USA captain Paul Azinger looks bored of the action halfway through the opening foursomes Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

American twins Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan look on during their match with Paul Casey and Henrik Stenson Photograph: Harry How/Getty

A spectator tries to strangle Harrington on the front nine. Not really, it's just his trainer massaging a neck injury Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty

Paul Casey celebrates after making a birdie on the tenth Photograph: Chris O'Meara/AP

Local boy Kenny Perry walks past some jubilant fans holding aloft the stars and stripes as the momentum swings the way of the Americans Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

Euphoric Americans were a common sight on the opening morning - they won three out of a possible four points in the foursomes Photograph: Shaun Best/Reuters