Europe enjoyed an opening day to remember at the Ryder Cup as they stormed the afternoon foursomes to go 5-3 up and Saturday's action got off to a rip-roaring start at Le Golf National.
It was a case of 'anything you can do I can do better' at the 5th hole of the fourballs match involving Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia against USA's Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau.
It was Ryder Cup golf at its best as the players produced some remarkable golf, got pumped up and the crowd were fully immersed in everything that was happening.
Finau looked like he was in all sorts of trouble when he found himself in a bunker. However, the American rookie wasn't perturbed as he duly chipped into the hole with a quite stunning shot. Cue much back-slapping and delight from the Americans. You can see the chip in the video below... although you may want to watch the follow-up shot from Europe's Rory McIlroy.
The USA fans were soon in full voice but they were soon quietened as they hadn't quite counted on the response from Europe and Rory McIlroy in particular...
McIlroy, who enjoyed a mixed first day in France as he struggled during the morning fourballs before partnering Ian Poulter to victory in the foursomes, finally found some form with the putter in hand and what a time to do it.
Following Finau's amazing chip, the Northern Irishman needed to nail a tricky putt to halve the fifth hole and the tension was palpable as he weighed up his shot.
Set up by a lovely approach, McIlroy duly nailed a 12-foot birdie putt to ensure that the hole ended all-square. What a time to produce some of that old vintage McIlroy magic!
Rory was certainly pumped up - as you can see in the video below - as he delivered an almighty fist pump before coolly picking up his ball.
Whisper it quietly, but after a difficult first morning, Rory McIlroy appears to be growing in stature during this Ryder Cup. That can only be good news for Team Europe!
