Sun comes out and Europe claims 1st point at Ryder Cup, but Americans leading 3 other matches

Kaymer-Westwood give Europe first Ryder Cup point

NEWPORT, Wales — The United States has claimed its first half-point of the Ryder Cup when Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar halved their match with Northern Irish stars Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy.

Cink and McIlroy both put two balls in the water at the final hole, leaving it to their partners to decide the match. McDowell’s third shot spun back toward the pond, but held on at the fringe. He was able to get down in two from there.

Kuchar had a chance to win the match with a tricky 20-foot birdie try across the ridge of the green, but it pulled up just short of the cup.

Both teams took heart from their half-point, which maintained Europe’s early one-point lead from a 3-and-2 victory by Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer in the opening match. The Americans are leading the other two fourball matches.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEWPORT, Wales (AP) — Lee Westwood and PGA champion Martin Kaymer have given Europe the first point of the Ryder Cup with a 3-and-2 victory over Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.

Mickelson and Johnson appeared to have the momentum at the end of the water-logged opening day, down only one hole, but a bunch of errant shots doomed the Americans when play resumed on a chilly Saturday morning.

It ended at No. 16, where Johnson flew the green with a wedge and Mickelson missed a 10-footer to save par and extend the match.

But the Americans were leading the other three fourball matches, so it could still be a good morning for the defending Ryder Cup champions.