Europe Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes that his team showed "real strength of character" to fight back from a losing position this morning to end day one at Gleneagles with a 5-3 lead over the USA.

The defending champions suffered a one-point deficit following the fourballs session, but wins for Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson and Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell gave Europe the lead.

Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia also fought back to earn half a point over Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.

"We have seen in Ryder Cups over the years how important momentum is and we showed real strength of character to respond to that American surge and get blue back on the board inside six holes," BBC Sport quotes McGinley as saying.

"I think that Sergio Garcia's and Rory McIlroy's halve was as a good as a win, two out of three for the rookies was not bad and now we have to maintain that momentum."

McGinley and USA captain Tom Watson are due to announce their pairings for tomorrow's action within the next hour.