Rory McIlroy heralded a "great day" for Europe, despite the world No.2 appearing to make an offensive gesture towards the crowd on the opening day of the Ryder Cup.

Luke Donald's side led the United States 5.5-2.5 after a memorable Friday at Bethpage Black attended by US president Donald Trump and where McIlroy was at the centre of the action.

After his 'Fleetwood Mac' reunion ended in perfect harmony as he and an on-song Tommy Fleetwood thumped Collin Morikawa and Harris English 5&4 in the morning fourballs, he was engulfed in a thrilling fourballs battle where drama was never far away.

It came down to the last putt where the Northern Irishman was millimetres away from giving his side a 6-2 first-day lead. Instead he and Shane Lowry had to settle for a half against Sam Burns and Patric

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