Ryder Cup 2016 - as it happened: A look back at Europe's fight back in the fourballs

Follow the latest from the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Course

Garcia celebrates as he Europe fights back (Getty)

The 2016 Ryder Cup pits the United States against Europe once again in golf’s greatest rivalry, with the hosts looking to avoid a record fourth consecutive defeat when they meet at Hazeltine National Golf Course in Minnesota. Follow all the live action here.

• Defending champions Europe face the United States in the 41st Rydr Cup
• US have not won the Ryder Cup since 2008
• European captain Darren Clarke drops Masters champion Danny Willett from Friday foursomes
• Willett’s brother in astonishing foul-mouthed outburst on US fans
• Team USA start as favourites to regain the trophy
• Afternoon fourball pairings will be announced later today

Follow the live action below...

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Read more Ryder Cup news:
Willett sorry as brother calls US fans ‘fat, stupid, greedy b*******’
Mickelson takes thinly-veiled swipe at former captain Watson
Eight things you didn’t know about Hazeltine Golf Course

Teams

Team USA: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Jimmy Walker, Brooks Koepka, Brandt Snedeker, Zach Johnson, JB Holmes, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and Ryan Moore.

Team Europe: Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Chris Wood, Sergio Garcia, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Justin Rose, Andy Sullivan, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters.

[30 September 2016 17:20 · Samuel Lovett]

Mickelson & Fowler vs McIlroy & Sullivan

Mickelson gets underway on the 16th but makes a right hash of his tee-shot. It soars wide of the fairway and lands near the hospitality tents as the American crowd groans.

[30 September 2016 17:22 · Samuel Lovett]

Spieth & Reed vs Rose & Stenson

America claim the first point of the tournament! It falls down to Reed who holds his nerve to sink a putt on the 18th to give his nation the lead. The crowd goes wild as Reed throws his arms into the air.

[30 September 2016 17:33 · Samuel Lovett]

Walker & Zach Johnson vs Garcia & Kaymer

It goes from bad to worse as Walker and Zach Jonnson extend their lead through the 15th.

[30 September 2016 17:35 · Samuel Lovett]

Mickelson & Fowler vs McIlroy & Sullivan

Oh dear, oh dear. Sullivan finds the water on the 17th as the American crowd erupts into cheer. At this rate the hosts look to be on course for all four points...

[30 September 2016 17:41 · Samuel Lovett]

This is making for uncomfortable viewing. Walker and Zach Johnson are all but guaranteed the win while Mickelson and Fowler have snatched the lead from their European opponents. Darren Clarke's face are in store for a red-wash and it ain't pretty.

[30 September 2016 17:43 · Samuel Lovett]

Walker & Zach Johnson vs Garcia & Kaymer

Walker finds the green on the 16h with his third shot to put the Americans in a strong position. It lands within 40 feet of the hole but Kaymer goes one better to give Europe some hope of taking the hole.

[30 September 2016 17:45 · Samuel Lovett]

Walker & Zach Johnson vs Garcia & Kaymer

Kaymer misses his putt to give America two attempts to win this match. They don't need it though as Johnson confidently takes America's third point of the day with a very impressive putt from 40 feet out.

[30 September 2016 17:48 · Samuel Lovett]

Mickelson & Fowler vs McIlroy & Sullivan

It's all over. Fowler polishes off a fantastic start for the Americans as he settles the fourth match with a simple putt on the 17th. 4-0 to America. Darren's Clarke team have quite the task ahead of them now.

[30 September 2016 18:06 · Samuel Lovett]

The Americans in their finery... 

[30 September 2016 20:04 · Samuel Lovett]

Snedeker and Koepka vs Kaymer and Willett 

Willett and Snedeker both found themselves in the bunker on the left-hand side of the fourth hole. The American splashed clear and ran long of the hole but the Englishman went one better to settle up only a few feet away from the flag. His partner Kaymer needed to be aggressive with a chip-in but he can't deliver. Either way, this should be Europe's hole.