Europe have won the first foursome match on day one of the 40th Ryder Cup thanks to Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood's 2-up victory over Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar of the USA.

All four men were making their first appearances at Gleneagles after sitting out the first session, and it was Furyk and Kuchar who struck the first blow as Europe bogeyed the par-four third.

Donaldson and Westwood were level at the sixth when the latter curled in a right-to-left putt before they took the lead on the next hole as Kuchar missed a short putt for par.

Holes eight, nine and 10 were halved before Westwood rolled home another birdie putt at the 11th to put the Europeans 2 up.

Soon after Donaldson made an important putt of his own from 25 feet to halve the 14th hole and maintain the hosts' two-hole lead.

Furyk and Kuchar reduced the deficit on the 16th to ensure they didn't go Dormie 2 behind. The par-three 17th was halved to guarantee Europe of a half-point before the par-five 18th.

Westwood and Furyk slapped a pair of fairway woods left of the green and it was Kuchar who felt the pressure, leaving his pitch short to effectively hand Europe the win.

The point draws Europe back level on the overall scoreboard after America won the morning session 2.5-1.5.