Associated Press
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- The United States sent out its Dream Team.
Europe was hardly intimidated.
Staring down Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the rest of the Americans, Europe got off to a stunning start Friday in the Ryder Cup. The defending champs were leading all four better-ball matches as the opening group made the turn at Oakland Hills.
That included Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington, who beat Woods and Mickelson -- paired; together for the first time -- 2 and 1.
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Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez held a 3-up lead on Davis Love III and Chad Campbell through eight holes, while Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood had built the same margin just six holes into their match with David Toms and Jim Furyk.
In the other match, Paul McGinley and Luke Donald were 1-up on Stewart Cink and Ryder Cup rookie Chris Riley after the seventh hole.
The early play was true to form. Europe usually does its best work in the team phase -- better ball and alternate shot -- while the Americans always seem to be scrambling to make up ground on the final day, when 12 singles matches are held.