• Ryder Cup, Day One

Ryder Cup: What they said

Colin Montgomerie will be looking for inspiration on day two, although he may not find it in the clouds © PA Photos

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• News: European Tour chief executive hopeful of Sunday finish
  
• News: USA hold the initiative but the weather is the real winner
  
• Profile: Stewart Cink | Luke Donald | Colin Montgomerie | Jeff Overton | Lee Westwood

Stay tuned to ESPN throughout the week for live coverage, news, views and reaction from the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie admits Saturday morning's session is crucial as his team look to wrestle back the early momentum gained by USA.

After Europe had surged into a lead in three of the four fourballs, a seven-hour delay ensued because of diabolical weather conditions.

And when play finally resumed it was the Americans who looked the better for the lengthy delay, overturning their early deficits to take a 2-1 lead in the matches.

"There's no match that is any more than two up or two down, so everyone is still in the game," said Montgomerie. "That's a very important session on Saturday morning to gain that momentum back again and to take a lead into the six foursomes matches."

Here is the rest of the reaction from the first day of action at Celtic Manor:

American captain Corey Pavin reiterated Montgomerie's stance regarding the rearranged schedule. He said: "It was a tough day, but the fans were great - they stuck around and waited around and I'm delighted we got back out. I'm pleased and very proud of the guys for how we came back. I think some very smart people got together and tried to figure the schedule out. Colin and I agreed it was a very good idea - allow the cup to finish on Sunday weather permitting and there's going to be a lot of golf to watch. I feel like this makes it a lot easier. Sitting four guys out is very brutal to do as a captain and it's nice they are all going out. I think it's going to be great - and tremendous for the fans and those watching on TV. I'll be up later tonight later than I anticipated, though, trying to figure it out after talking with the players and my assistant captains."

Ian Poulter ensured both he and Ross Fisher finished all square with Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, keeping his nerve to drain a birdie in the fading light - and 'Monty' left no-one in any doubt about how important that putt was. He said: "It was very, very dark. He asked me, 'can I stop?' and I said, 'of course you can stop'. But at the same time he thought, 'OK, I'll do this and give the team momentum if I hole it'. He definitely did that. What a roar went up. It was a fantastic effort and will give us momentum we need to carry into a very, very busy day."

Following Stewart Cink's brilliant display which led the USA fightback - he holed five birdies in 11 holes as he and Matt Kuchar finished the day two up against Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell having been one down - team captain Pavin reserved special praise for the 2009 Open champion. "He made some long putts and got it going," he said. "That's how you do well in Ryder Cups, making putts. Maybe it will spread to the other guys."

European fans can rest easy tonight after Lee Westwood said he felt good after returning from a long-standing calf injury. He said: "I quite enjoyed it. I would have like to have carried on this morning where we left off but unfortunately the weather wouldn't allow - we had some good momentum there. I feel fine and I am looking forward to tomorrow.

Poulter admitted his putt, in near darkness, was a fitting way to end the day as he held his nerve to peg back Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods. He said: "It's nice to get back in all square. The US guys managed to get their noses in front with two holes before the 10th hole, But it was a nice putt to hole and it will make dinner taste that little bit better."

American rookie Jeff Overton was left overjoyed after experiencing his first taste of Ryder Cup action. He said: "People were telling me it was the Walker Cup on steroids and man were they right. That first hole with them yelling the chants and everything it was probably the best experience of my life on the golf course. To drain that putt like I did on the first hole was just really awesome.

Luke Donald is hoping for the weather to dramatically improve so that the fans have a chance to enjoy some quality golf. He said: "There's nothing like a Ryder Cup, It's been amazing. Obviously today wasn't what we wanted with the weather conditions but hopefully the weather will co-operate and we can go out there tomorrow and show the very supporting fans some great golf.

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