America have come out on top in the opening fourball encounter at the 39th Ryder Cup this afternoon.

Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson overpowered Paul Lawrie and Peter Hanson to claim victory 5&4.

All four men were unused in the morning foursomes and it was Simpson who was quickest out of the blocks, birdieing the first before Lawrie and Hanson could only bogey the second for a 2-down deficit.

Simpson made another birdie at four before Watson went under par on three holes in a row to give the home pair a 6-up lead.

Lawrie made a birdie on 11 to cut the advantage slightly but it was soon curtains when Watson had two putts for the match on 14 and he rolled the first up next to the hole.

The point for USA sees them move 3-2 ahead on the overall scoreboard.