Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed have got off to a flying start on their Ryder Cup debuts by opening up a four-shot lead against Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher at the turn in Friday morning's fourballs.

Reed got the Americans off to the perfect start with a tap-in birdie at the first before Gallacher and Poulter were both forced to make 15-foot putts to remain close after three.

Spieth could have doubled his team's lead but missed a close-range putt to give Europe the half at the fifth, but Reed continued to flourish by making a lengthy birdie putt on the sixth.

Spieth got in on the act with a birdie at seven to open up a three-shot advantage after seven, but Gallacher missed a five-footer to reduce the deficit at the eighth.

It went from bad to worse for Poulter and Gallacher at the ninth as the Englishman sent his second into the water, and after Reed set up a four-foot birdie, Gallacher missed to allow Team USA to move to within touching distance of the win.

Keep track of the back nine by following Sports Mole's live text coverage.