HAMPSHIRE’S Justin Rose led from the front to give Europe first blood in the Ryder Cup this morning.

Rose, partnered by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson in the first match out, produced a sublime display of golf against Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson en route to a 5&4 fourball win.

Realising the importance of the point, the 34-year-old said: “When the captain sends you out first, you have to deliver a point and that’s what me and the ‘Ice Man’ [Henrik Stenson] came to deliver.

“The course was playing hard early but we managed to steal a few birdies when we could. For us to get off to this sort of start and build some momentum is fantastic.”