A-listers in search of A-game

GOLF/DAY ONE FOURBALLS:THE FIRST session of fourballs remains a work in progress with the all-Irish pairing of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell left to ponder how they will come from two down against a rampant Stewart Cink and playing partner Matt Kuchar when the matches conclude today.

Rookie McIlroy managed to overcome the unique first tee nerves but the enforced suspension meant players reverted to the clubhouse where most of the action took place on the PlayStation. Unfortunately for McIlroy he left his A-game in the team room and when play finished the 21-year-old had failed to record a single birdie in 11 holes.

This match managed three holes before play was stopped. A couple of opening Irish pars were enough to go one up as the Americans chopped their way up the first.

However it didn’t take long for Cink to find his putting range and the first of his five birdies in nine holes was converted with a monster 40-footer at the third. The 37-year-old made two more birdie bombs from similar range at five and seven to take the lead for the first time.

Kuchar was a passenger and had only featured on one hole when he matched McIlroy’s par at the second. As for the Holywood star this was a Ryder Cup reality check and his lacklustre game didn’t fit the occasion, the only consolation is he has time to rectify matters.

The solitary birdie from the Irish pair came via McDowell at the ninth to bring the game back to all-square. It was a false dawn as Cink made a birdie two at the par three 10th before McIlroy gifted their opponents the 11th when he missed a four-foot birdie attempt after playing a spectacular chip from the rough. That left the American pair with a two hole overnight lead.

“We weren’t feeling on top of things and Stewart made a few bombs when it looked like we could have gone a couple up. But we’re looking forward to getting back out there and repairing the damage,” said McDowell.

“It wasn’t a great afternoon session and I am glad we’re in the clubhouse and can get a fresh start in the morning,” added McIlroy.

In the top match Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer were in a ding-dong battle with Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson with the Europeans holding a slender one hole advantage after 12 holes.

Talisman Westwood showed no ill effects from the calf injury which sidelined him for six weeks in the build-up to Celtic Manor, while his rookie partner struggled to kick on from his par at the opening hole.

This match completed five holes in the morning for Europe to be two up. Westwood was the primary contributor for seven straight holes from the second with one birdie and six consecutive pars. At best they were three up after six when Johnson nervously three-putted.

However with Mickelson and the monstrously long-hitting of Johnson, Europe were never going to have it all their own way. And sure enough the American birdies started to flow; Johnson quickly made amends after a rifled long iron into six feet at the 213-yard seventh and holed for his only birdie.

Not to be outdone Lefty got in on the act by reeling off three birdies on the spin from the ninth. Johnson was supposed to be the birdie man at nine as only he could reach the 580-yarder in two – he found the right edge of the green but failed to get up and down.

It mattered little for Mickelson pitched to six feet and holed then knocked it into eight feet and converted at the next. The purple patch continued at 11 when he splashed out of the bunker for birdie number three.

“We played poorly and played tight but Dustin’s birdie at seven freed us up and we started to make some birdies,” said Mickelson of their comeback.

Against the birdie barrage it was all Kaymer could do to keep pace but credit to the US PGA champion he sprang into life and also birdied the two par fives (nine and 11). “Dustin and Phil were always going to be tricky to compete against. We are one up so it’s going pretty well,” added Westwood after pars were shared at the 12th just as long shadows made way for nightfall and hands were shaken before battle recommences again today.