Live Coverage: Ryder Cup - Day two fourballs - as it happened

Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of Saturday's fourballs at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

It's been barely 12 hours since we finished yesterday's foursomes but we are back again this morning bright...ish...and early for the start of day two. If yesterday is anything to go by, expect thrills, spills, ups, downs, missed putts, chip ins, former captains making ridiculous comments (more on that later), and hopefully, more points for a European side who have tons of momentum right now.

Despite there still being 25 minutes left until the first tee off, the stand behind the first tee is packed to the rafters as they wait the arrival of Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar. The European duo were Paul McGinley's star men yesterday, racking up two wins for the side with not too much fuss, and they will be expected to do the same this morning. I'm not sure Watson will be so crowd-friendly before his first tee shot today - it will be strictly business as far as the Americans are concerned.

That match will be followed by the contest between Jamie Donaldson & Lee Westwood and Jim Furyk & Hunter Mahan. As far as the Ryder Cup is concerned, Donaldson is a complete novice compared to the other three but he too excelled for Europe yesterday as he marked his debut with a point. If he can replicate that display, the hosts are going to be well in business come this afternoon.

The third pairing sees the experienced Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer attempt to stifle the raw enthusiasm of Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth. Despite thrashing Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher yesterday morning, the American rookies were dropped for the foursomes, and rumour as it that it didn't go down too well. They will be keen to make a statement to their skipper Tom Watson ahead of the foursomes.

McGinley has concluded his picks with the pairing of world number one Rory McIlroy and European talisman Ian Poulter. On paper, it is the dream pairing but for the most part of yesterday, both were under-par (I don't mean they hit plenty of birdies). McIlroy improved in the last hour to steal half a point for his side with Sergio Garcia but Poulter went down 5&4 with Gallacher and needs a positive response today.

We have just over 10 minutes to go until the first tee. Are we getting a teeny weeny bit excited now? Thought so. Before the first pairings make their way to the first tee, let me give our Ryder Cup section a quick plug. It has everything from news, reaction, results, previews, and a look back at how yesterday's action went down. Some would say it's the perfect way to spend 10 minutes before the action gets started. If you agree with that statement, click here.

As the players make their way through the tunnel on the way to the first tee, they are met with the message "Where legends are forged". Some of them can already be considered legends, but for the likes of Donaldson, Gallacher and Victor Dubuisson - who was superb yesterday afternoon - this is their moment to write their name in history. They don't just want to be a part of a winning side, they want to contribute and make their mark.

"EUROPE, EUROPE" is the chant as Rose and Stenson walk onto the first tee. They are appreciative of the crowd but they have their business hats on. They are followed by Watson and Kuchar, who are donned in jumpers and woolly hats. They look like they are dressed for a skiing holiday. More shouts of "EUROPE!" as the duo join Rose and Stenson.

It's Matt Kuchar to play the first tee shot. Will be play it better than Webb Simpson? To be honest, it couldn't get much worse, but it's a great shot from 'Kuch'. Bubba Watson follows it with a monster of a shot. That's more like it, USA.

Justin Rose's attempt is pulled down the left-hand side into the rough. It looks like it sat down too. Henrik Stenson miscued his over to the right into the bunker. Shaky start from McGinley's men, but hopefully they will calm down coming down the first.

Stenson's got a good angle on his second and he finds the dancefloor out of the bunker to give himself a chance. However, Kuchar tops that from the middle of the fairway, leaving his ball about 10 feet short. Wow, Justin Rose has topped both of them. His lie wasn't great but he has run the ball from the rough to within eight feet. Watson was arguably in the best position of the quartet but he has duffed his approach and he's off the green.

Watson will have a five-footer for par, but you'd say his ball isn't relevant on this hole now. The same could be said of Stenson, who leaves his effort short. Can either of Kuchar or Rose strike an early blow?

Back on the first tee, the second match has gotten underway. like their predecessors, the Americans have middled their shots and are on the fairway.

So has Jamie Donaldson. That's going to settle any nerves. Can Lee Westwood make it four from four? Not quite. It's down the left, but he isn't sitting too bad. Now, back to the green we go...

BIRDIE! Kuchar confidently rolls in from 10 feet. Rose needs to do the same, but he putts just left of the hole. First blood to USA.

Tom Watson has got his boys firing today. Furyk nails his second to land it eight feet from the hole while Kuchar's effort does the same. Westwood and Donaldson have sent their shots flying through the back of the green.

WATER! Over at the second, Stenson has dumped his second into the water. It's not been a great start for Europe.

Back on the first tee, Patrick has done "a Webb Simpson". He's completely mis-hit his tee shot but fortunately for him, it has dropped onto the first bit of fairway. Jordan Spieth has helped his playing partner out by crunching a 3-wood down the middle, as has Thomas Bjorn. Martin Kaymer's is the best of the lot though.

BIRDIE! It's advantage USA in the second game. Mahan made no mistake from 10 yards and they go ahead of Donaldson and Westwood.

Watson and Kuchar have missed short birdie putts on the second and that has opened the door for Rose, who is no more than eight feet away. The Englishman decides to capitalise on that open door to drain his putt and level the game after two holes.

Back at the first, Reed's second has taken him out of contention but Spieth is 15 feet away for a birdie. That's bettered by Bjorn though, who stops his ball around eight feet away. But wait - Kaymer lands his ball three feet away! It's a brilliant effort from the man who completed the job in Medinah.

McIlroy and Poulter are on the first tee and as you'd expected, the crowd are getting behind their men. Their game with Fowler and Walker could be the pick of the day.

Spieth and Bjorn have rolled their putts wide on the first green but all eyes are on Kaymer. It looks relatively simple, but this is the Ryder Cup - nothing is simple. Maybe it is? Kaymer holes the putt and Europe are ahead.

The fourth and final match is now underway. Fowler and Walker will sense that they can really stuck into the European pairing early doors and they drive their respective shots down the middle of the fairway. Poulter's ball find the rough but it is sitting up. What about McIlroy? It finds the light rough, but again, it is sitting up and he can make the green in two.

SHOT! Westwood chips his third shot on the second to within two feet and he has a tap-in birdie. Mahan equals that effort from Westwood by rolling his eagle putt to the same gap and the hole is halved.

Before we get into full flow, I need to point you in the direction of our live scoreboard. As we jump from hole to hole, it will prove useful as you look to keep track of each match.

Wowzers! The early shot of the day award goes to Ian Poulter, who sends his approach on the first to within two feet. A statement has well and truly been made. Fowler lands his ball the same distance away but the ball spins back to add an extra 10 feet onto his birdie putt. Walker will have about 15 feet for his birdie, so despite the brilliance of Poulter, the hole isn't over.

Over at the third, USA have struck back in the opening game as Watson holes a putt to see himself and Kuchar return to 1 UP over Rose and Stenson.

Poulter's putt was conceded, leaving Walker and Fowler with putts for the half. Neither of them are successful though, and Europe are ahead in the final match.

The opening group have made it to the fourth and this is the green that is awaiting them. Testing it may be, but that's a lot of green to work with.

Testing pin position on the par-3 fourth hole today. pic.twitter.com/OgGJ8FwE8N — Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 27, 2014

Stenson has found the bunker on the fourth, but it's a terrific effort from the Swede who will make par. Watson is in a similar position to that of Stenson and he too lands his shot close to the hole. Rose and Kuchar both have birdie putts.

Kuchar's effort is tentative, but he joins the other two next to the hole. Rose is more aggressive, but he puts too much on it to send it past. The fourth is eventually halved.

Furyk and Mahan are the form pair on the course right now. Furyk has just sent his long-distance putt on the third green into the hole and his pairing are now 2 Up after three over Westwood and Donaldson.

Paul McGinley has just spoken about an ongoing back issue that is hampering Henrik Stenson. I'd say that it is unlikely that we will see him this afternoon. At the second, Walker has holed from six feet to halve the hole.

PUTT! Thomas Bjorn is on flames this morning. Not literally, but his golf game is. He's just made a 30-footer from left to right to give him and Bjorn a chance of going 2 UP after three. Spieth has an opening for a half, but it flies past the hole and Europe are flying in that match.

My word, we are seeing some magical shots this morning. Watson has just made a putt of similar length to that of Bjorn but Rose has equalled that to ensure the half. This is just the start, folks...

This is how we are looking so far. When taking the match score into consideration, I think Europe would take this.

Rose & Stenson vs. Watson & Kuchar - USA 1UP after 5
Donaldson & Westwood vs. Furyk & Mahan - USA 2UP after 4
Bjorn & Kaymer vs. Reed & Spieth - Europe 2UP after 3
McIlroy & Poulter vs. Walker & Fowler - Europe 1UP after 2

Fowler and Walker have given themselves a chance of birdie on the third after poor efforts from Poulter and McIlroy. In front of them at the fourth, Reed and Spieth have produced wonderful tee shots on the par three to leave them a chance of a two.

Despite their approaches, both Reed and Spieth have missed their birdie attempts, giving Bjorn the chance to halve the hole, which he does from three feet. Europe remain 2 UP there.

Back at the third, McIlroy has finally started to show a bit of form with a super up-and-down from the bunker, but Fowler can win the hole for the USA from 12 feet. It's definitely makable, but he has run it past. Missed opportunity for the visitors.

BIRDIE! USA have taken control in the first match of the morning with Kuchar finding the cup from 25 feet on the sixth. He and Watson are now 2 UP over Rose and Stenson. They are on it today. Remember, it took a huge putt from Rose to save the fifth.

Europe are having a disaster on the fifth. After Martin Kaymer sent his drive out of bounds, Thomas Bjorn's second went 20 yards right and that hole is as good as over with USA well placed to halve their early deficit.

Over on the fourth, all four players have putts from distance for their birdie. Both Fowler and Walker have given themselves eight-footers for their par but Poulter rolls his putt much closer to guarantee the three. That has given McIlory a free shot at a birdie, but it was a tough putt and it is sent to the left.

Fowler hasn't made a putt all day and he misses another here to heap a ton of pressure onto Walker. He needs this to halve the hole and he's made it. McIlroy and Poulter remain 1 UP. Up at the seventh, Stenson, Rose, Watson and Kuchar are all within 15 feet for their birdie.

The first three putts on seven miss the target, but Stenson makes his - Europe are back to 1 DOWN in that one. Westwood has a putt to reduce the deficit in his match, but it has too much pace on it and USA remain 2 UP.

It feels like we have been going for hours this morning, but we are only about to start the eighth in the first group. This fourballs format requires an immense amount of concentration.

I was on the verge of calling Thomas Bjorn the Great Dane, but he has gone off the boil in the past 15 minutes. His approach to the sixth green has found the heavy stuff, while playing partner Martin Kaymer is in the bunker. Over at the fifth, Poulter and McIlroy look like they are both in the Everglades. Both matches could be all square in next to no time.

Scratch that. Walker has just sent his second for a certain birdie. Him and Fowler are level with McIlroy and Poulter after five.

The tide, it is a changing. Spieth holes for birdie on the sixth to get back to all square, while up at the seventh, Mahan and Furyk look like going 3 UP on Westwood and Donaldson after a stellar approach from Mahan.

Europe need a response, and boy, they've got one from Justin Rose. He faced a put up hill, with the ball going left to right, but he's found the cup much to the delight of the crowd. Rose is pumped! Kuchar misses from 25 feet and Watson sees his putt graze the edge before going past. We are back at all square.

An update on all of the matches can be found here. Things are changing by the minute!

I'd say that you will be out later, Graeme. Don't you worry.

Is @JustinRose99 any good? That was my inspiration to go get ready, to hopefully tee it this afternoon. #enjoy #bringthenoise — Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) September 27, 2014

McIlroy and Poulter need a response after that disastrous fifth and McIlroy has found one with a perfect tee shot into six. He has 15 feet for birdie.

Made it! McIlroy rolls it in for the two, but Fowler can still halve the hole. He has around 30 feet to go.

Wow, that's a big putt from Rickie Fowler. It's the first one that he has made all day. That match remains at all square.

Remember what I said about Bjorn going off the boil? Forget that. After Reed guaranteed a three with a sublime second, Bjorn chipped in off the light rough to get the halve. That was a bonus.

The opening match is finely poised as they approach the midway point. Watson has leathered his second to within 30 yards and he should be able to make birdie. Rose has gone through the back of the green but he also has a chance of a four at the 600-yard par five.

It's probably fair to say that Donaldson and Westwood haven't done much this morning, but Donaldson has just found the cup from 10 yards to halve the eighth after Mahan had rolled in yet another putt. Mahan has been the star of the morning for me.

The match between Rose & Stenson and Watson & Kuchar has reached halfway at all square. Rose came within centimetres of helping Europe to 1 UP, but his putt just missed to the left. At the seventh, McIlroy has just landed his approach no more than eight feet from the hole.

McIlroy can't convert though. It's tame from the world number one, who missed to the right of the hole. Poulter also missed with his long-range third. Fowler has a chance of a third, but he too misses the target. It's another halved hole.

PUTT! The 2012 Ryder Cup was all about Ian Poulter, but this years, so far, is about Justin Rose. He was four feet off the green but he has just drained a monster of a putt for a birdie on the 10th. However, Watson equals his putt and now the Americans are pumped. If you don't like this, you don't like golf.

We have just started publishing our 'At The Turn' updates. First up is that match involving Rose and Watson. You can view it here.

Justin Rose has been simply sensational. His approach to the 11th almost flies into the hole and he is left with eight feet for birdie. Kuchar's response was well short, and it's advantage to the Europeans.

Rory McIlroy has been very much hit and miss today but he has just made a putt on the eighth to help him and Poulter back to 1 UP.

Kuchar makes an excellent three on the 11th to put the pressure on Rose, but was there any doubt that he is up to the task? Of course there wasn't! Bang in the middle it goes and that match remains at all square.

Poulter's drive at the ninth is absymal. The less said about it the better. McIlroy has middled his strike though, and he's on the fairway and in a good position to make the green in two. The same can't be said of Fowler, who has followed Poulter, but Walker is on the fairway, albeit some distance behind McIlroy.

Here's our 'At The Turn' report on the opening nine holes involving Donaldson, Westwood, Mahan and Furyk. It makes for grim reading if you are from Europe...

The rookie partnership of Reed and Spieth may have started off slow but they are cooking now. Spieth holes a 10-footer on the ninth to see them reach the halfway stage at 1 UP on Bjorn and Kaymer.

This is golfing perfection from Justin Rose. Another approach is sent to within five feet of the hole at the 12th. Marvellous stuff.

I'm guessing that this guy is a Scot...or is that an American?

Only at the Ryder Cup. pic.twitter.com/ASaJovrcm6

— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 27, 2014

The third 'At The Turn' report is ready for your viewing pleasure. Have a ganders here.

Stenson gets in on the party! It's been all about Justin Rose, but the Swede takes centre stage on the 12th green to take his team 1 UP with six to play.

Back at the ninth, McIlroy has sent his eagle attempt a couple of feet past but he has guaranteed the half. Walker has 20 feet for birdie but it's missed to the left. McIlroy and Poulter are now 2 UP at the turn.

Donaldson and Westwood need some inspiration to get back into it against Mahan and Furyk, and the Welshman provides some with a great putt. That's equalled by Mahan though, and they remain 3 DOWN after 11. In the following match, Spieth has put USA 2 UP after 10.

Now that everyone is through the turn, it's probably a good chance for you to get updated with the scores by clicking here. Go on, you know you want to...

MAGICAL FROM FOWLER! McIlroy and Poulter look set to move 3 UP after Fowler and Walker go into the greenside bunker, but Fowler produces some magic from the sand to hole his second! McIlroy needs to hole here or else the momentum has swung majorly in the Americans direction.

The world number one misses and after being on the verge of 3 DOWN, Fowler and Walker are back to 1 DOWN. Game changer.

Good lord. Justin Rose sinks another! Seriously, he has been sensational. He and Stenson move to 2 UP with five to play. They are nine-under-par for their round after 13 holes.

I think Paul McGinley might disagree...

"Maybe Justin Rose could use some rest this afternoon..." - United States of America #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Y4Ak8zE0Z3

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 27, 2014

They are onto the 11th now, but here is our update on the first nine holes involving McIlroy, Poulter, Fowler and Walker.

Fowler and Walker have McIlroy and and Poulter very much on the back foot now. Walker has just produced a magnificent second on the 11th, dropping the ball a matter of inches from the pin. That's a tap-in birdie. McIlroy needs to get up and down from 150 yards or for Poulter to hole off the green.

Neither of the Europeans can do so, and 15 minutes after nearly being 3 DOWN, Fowler and Walker are all square.

Rose's chip onto the 14th green was short, but Stenson has saved the day with a stunning putt off the fringe. These two really have lit up Gleneagles this morning. They remain 2 UP with four to play.

Here is Fowler's bunker shot on the 10th. Impressive, huh?

Sergio yesterday, Rickie's turn today. Incredible golf on show this week. https://t.co/kig5urqsGm

— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 27, 2014

SHOT! Bad back? What bad back? Henrik Stenson hits his approach at 15 to within a foot. Kuchar needs to respond here, but he's left it on the fringe. Rose is on the green in two, but his putt won't be required. Watson has sent his second into the bunker. Europe are very close to guaranteeing the half a point with three to play.

SHOT! Unbelievable! Watson's bunker shot is decent but never threatening the hole. As for Kuchar, he has only gone and made a three from 30 feet off the fringe. We still have a game on, people. Europe are 2 UP with three to play.

Over at the 12th, Poulter has a chance to win the hole but he misses to the right. It was a difficult putt, though. That match remains all square.

We haven't forgotten about the match involving Bjorn & Kaymer and Spieth & Reed, but very little has changed. The American rookies remain 2 UP.

We are reaching the crucial stages of the morning session so you are going to need to keep track of the scores on our scoreboard.

Hmmm, they are human after all. After Stenson sends his second to the par-5 16th towards the water, Rose hooks his approach way, way left. Kuchar and Watson are in charge on this hole.

That's a fist pump of epic proportions from Patrick Reed. He drains a 25-footer to help himself and Spieth to a three-shot lead after 13 holes against Bjorn and Kaymer. A statement has been made to Tom Watson.

EAGLE! Hunter Mahan made the green on the short 14th, and he's gone and holed his second for eagle. Mahan and Furyk are now 4 UP with four to play.

Rose played a very ordinary second at 16th but the magic wand is back out once again. He's just chipped out of the rough to within two feet and either Kuchar or Watson but chip in from off the green or else this game is done.

ROSE & STENSON WIN! Watson's effort goes a few feet past the hole, leaving Kuchar needing to find the cup. He fails to do so, though, and Rose and Stenson have given Europe a six points to three advantage!

When everything is said and done on Sunday night, that performance from Rose and Stenson will be seen as the best showing of the week. They played the 16 holes in 12-under-par. It was almost shot-perfect.

Stenson has just confirmed that he won't play this afternoon, so we are going to see Rose with a different playing partner for the foursomes.

Back out of the course, it's not such good news for Europe. Fowler and Walker now lead McIlroy and Poulter by a shot, and Reed and Spieth have a four-shot lead over Bjorn and Kaymer with five to play. As it stands, the score is 6-6 going into the foursomes.

FURYK & MAHAN WIN! Moments after Europe extended their lead to three points, it is quickly reduced to two as Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan win 4&3 against Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood. The European duo didn't play too badly, but their opponents were excellent.

To back up the superlatives I have used for Rose, Stenson, Watson and Kuchar, here's a graphic to support them. They just made history.

21 - The number of birdies in the Stenson/Rose vs Kuchar/Watson match - an all-time #RyderCup record. #WOW pic.twitter.com/aDLJ0oNxhX — Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 27, 2014

REED & SPIETH WIN! The rookies of Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth have got the job done against Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer by a 5&3 scoreline. They've taken to the Ryder Cup like duck to water. More importantly, Europe's lead has been reduced to one point.

So that leaves us with just the one match still to finish. That game is on the 15th, with Fowler and Walker 1 UP on McIlroy and Poulter. In the context of the overall score, this is huge.

Fowler has just nailed his approach from the 15th rough to within three feet of the pin. With Poulter hitting it off the green and McIlroy's second bouncing off the green, it's odds-on that USA are going 2 UP with three to play.

Oh my. Oh my. Ian Poulter! He's been awful today, but that Ryder Cup magic that he possesses has just come to the fore. The Englishman has just holed his chip from a good 40 yards for the half!

This has been a morning of the highest quality, and we could still have three holes to come. Poulter's strut is back!

I should point out that McIlroy and Poulter are still one behind, but until Poulter's miraculous chip, they were facing 2 DOWN full in the face. We are at the 16th and Fowler and Walker have both miscued their drive on the par five.

Poulter's drive is also wayward. It finds the fairway bunker and it's not good at all. McIlroy has leathered his effort down the middle of the fairway. He can make this green in two.

While we wait for the players to reach their ball, why not take a look at all of the reaction after the opening three matches. The foursomes pairings will also be announced at any moment too.

Fowler and McIlroy have hit their second shots to within chipping distance of the hole, but Walker is in the greenside bunker after three. Poulter's starting to rise to this and this third is sent to within 15 feet. He will have a birdie chance.

AFTERNOON FOURSOMES

Donaldson & Westwod vs Johnson & Kuchar
Garcia & McIlroy vs. Furyk & Mahan
Kaymer & Rose vs. Spieth & Reed
Dubuisson & McDowell vs Walker & Fowler

We'll get back to the foursomes in a minute, but Fowler has just duffed his chip! It barely goes 10 yards and he is still off the green. His fourth is left four feet from the hole for his par. McIlroy can win the hole with a chip and a putt.

McIlroy has five feet left, while Poulter has 15 feet. If either are holed, we are all square after 16.

BIRDIE! It has taken him a few hours, but Ian Poulter is back, ladies and gentleman. He drains his 15-footer with minimal fuss and we are level pegging!

This is the sight that we have been waiting to see.

© Getty Images

Onto the 17th we go, but Poulter's tee shot is short and to the right. McIlroy follows that with a five iron to the back of the green with the ball just trickling off the dancefloor. Fowler's effort is over to the left where the greenside bunker is waiting but Walker shanks his shot and leaves it a few yards short of Poulter's ball. No-one has found the green. Pressure.

Fowler and Walker have left 10-footers for par. How can Europe respond? Poulter's ball finishes a little further away, maybe 15 feet or so. McIlroy strikes his putt to within a foot and the half is secured.

Walker's putt took a good look at the hole but it lips out and Fowler needs to find the cup here or Europe are ahead going into the last.

Straight into the hole it goes, and we are all square moving onto the final hole. It's a fitting end to what has been one of the best sessions in Ryder Cup history.

Poulter pulls his tee shot way left and he is going to have to lay up. McIlroy saves the day with a stunning drive onto the fairway. Perfect position too. Fowler's given it an almighty whack but he has found the light rough, but Walker is up with McIlroy's ball on the fairway.

Poulter makes a solid recovery from the rough, leaving himself with 100 yards to go to the hole with his third. Fowler has given USA the advantage though with a monster second onto the green. He will have 20 foot for eagle!

This isn't looking good for Europe. McIlroy sends his second into the heavy stuff and he has a big task on his hands to make four. Walker's second was directed into the greenside bunker.

Ian Poulter needs to get up and down from 93 yards, and he has given himself a chance. His third spins back towards the hole and he will have eight foot for a four. Remember though, if Fowler holes his next shot, USA win this match.

Forget that though, McIlory has somehow, someway, secured the four with a glorious pitch from the rough. Walker's bunker shot gives him a tap-in birdie, meaning that all eyes are on Fowler. If Fowler holes, USA win. If he doesn't, the match is shared.

Fowler misses! After all of that, we have finished all square. And breathe...

That match may have ended all square, but it will feel like a win for McIlroy and Poulter. They were out of sorts until Poulter pitched in from 40 yards on the 15th.

On that note, we are going to bring our fourballs coverage to a close, but don't you dare go anywhere. The foursomes is coming right up! See you in a few minutes.