Europe's golfers trail US 5-3 in Ryder Cup

The European team made a disappointing start to golf's Ryder Cup yesterday when they finished the opening round of foursomes and fourballs trailing the United States 5-3.

Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie, Europe's leading pair, lost both their matches. In the morning they were beaten on the final hole by Corey Pavin and Tom Lehman. In the afternoon they never recovered after losing four of the first six holes to Fred Couples and Davis Love.

In atrocious conditions at the Oak Hill Course, Rochester, New York, the two sides shared the morning foursomes 2-2. The most exciting moment for Europe came when Bernhard Langer and Per-Ulrik Johansson beat Curtis Strange and Ben Crenshaw. Langer, whose missed 6ft putt cost Europe the cup four years ago, holed a similar putt to clinch victory on the final hole.In the afternoon Europe's only win came from Seve Ballesteros and David Gilford.

Report, page 28